Mott Pulls Away Late As Schoolcraft Falls in Home Opener

Detroit, Mi- On Tuesday (March 21), the Schoolcraft Ocelots (7-10, 0-1) hosted the Mott Community College Bears (4-6, 1-0) in what was Schoolcraft's home opener and also their conference opener. 

Mott jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first after a 2 out error by Schoolcraft would keep the inning alive for Mott, and they would jump on the opportunity. Schoolcraft would threaten in the bottom half with runners on first and second with 1 out, but would fail to plate any runners. Mott would get back on the scoreboard with 2 runs in the third inning, one run came off of an error and another on a groundout. In the second and third inning for Schoolcraft, they would have runners in scoring position with 0 and 1 outs respectively but once again, would fail to plate any runs. Schoolcraft would be down 3-0 after three complete innings. Schoolcraft finally got on the board in the fourth as #28 Mason Malysz would have a 2 out single that would plate #22 Nate Saavedra, who walked earlier in the inning. Mott would get that run right back in the top of the fifth after a 2 out infield single plated a run. The fifth inning saw Schoolcraft get the deficit to 1 run. Schoolcraft was finally able to capitalize with runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs as #50 Bryan Tuttle would single up the middle to plate #24 Andrew Thoring (single) and #18 Landon Kempainen (double). The score would remain 4-3 in favor of the Bears until the ninth inning when Mott would plate 4 runs, including a 3 run home run, to push their lead to 8-3, which would be the final score. 

For Schoolcraft, #18 Landon Kempainen would go 2-4 with 2 doubles, a walk and 1 run scored, #50 Bryan Tuttle would also go 2-4 with 2 RBI's. Other Ocelots with hits would be, #1 Sawyer Pace, #24 Andrew Thorning, #8 John Sowards, #29 Noah Felder (triple), and #28 Mason Malysz, who had the other RBI for Schoolcraft. Schoolcraft would muster 9 hits total and wound up outhitting the Bears 9-5. 

#4 Jack Zang would get the loss for Schoolcraft as his final line was, 4.2 IP, 4 R (3 ER), and 8 SO. #23 Jon Sabuda was key out of the 'pen as he went, 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R and 1 K. 

Schoolcraft returns to the diamond on Thursday (March 23) when they travel to Macomb Community College to face off against the Monarchs (2-10, 0-1). First pitch is slated for 2:00 PM at Macomb's South Campus.