PORTSMOUTH – Shawnee State baseball dropped a 12-6 decision to Baldwin-Wallace in the first of a three-game series. Scoring seven runs in four innings paved way for the victory as the Bears (6-6) were unable to overcome a 7-1 deficit.
After scoring three runs in the second and third innings, the Bears found themselves trailing 3-0 heading to the bottom of the third. Shawnee State got started after Colin Keim reached on a 6-4 fielder's choice. Joe Henderson then followed with a deep fly ball to right-center field, scoring pinch runner Aaron Suydam from first to cut the lead to 3-1.
However, playing in their first game of the season the Yellow Jackets (1-0) would go on to score four more runs over the next two innings to push their lead to 7-1. Playing from behind the entire game the Bears clawed themselves back into the game scoring in four straight innings.
Trailing 7-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth, Shawnee State struck with two runs. Calvin Sluberski reached second base after a throwing error which set up Cody Spires. Spires doubled to center field on the next at bat, scoring Sluberski from second base. Henderson followed with a sharp ground ball that was misplayed by the first baseman, allowing Spires to score to cut the lead to 7-3.
The Bears struck again in the sixth inning. After back-to-back ground outs, Todd Queener reached on an error. Queener then stole second base setting up Spires. Spires – who finished 3-for-5 with two RBI's – singled to left field scoring Queener , cutting the lead to 7-4.
However, the Yellow Jackets scored once more in the top of the seventh to push their lead to 8-4 thanks to a sacrifice fly from Brad Gugloptta. The Bears kept the pressure on, adding another run in the bottom half of the seventh to cut their lead within three once more. Keim – who finished 2-for-4 with an RBI – started the inning with a single to right field. Later on in the inning with runners on second and third, pinch hitter Jake Lankeit roped one to left center. Scoring pinch runner Suydam from third, however, Lankheit was thrown out at second to end the inning.
Shawnee State scored once more in the bottom of the eight inning before allowing four runs in the top of the ninth to assure a Baldwin-Wallace victory.
The two teams will be back in action on Sunday in a doubleheader affair. The two games are scheduled to both play nine innings and is slated to start at noon.
