Pioneers Split with Kellogg

Wickes Park – The Delta College baseball team came one game closer to clinching their fourth consecutive post-season berth on Saturday as they defeated Kellogg Community College 4-1 in game two of an MCCAA double header.  The Bruins won the first game, 5-0.

Tyler Kirkwood dominated the Kellogg offense through the first three innings of game two, striking out five while surrendering one hit and picking off two runners.   He gave way to Cody Orban in the fourth with the score still knotted at zero.

"The importance of today's games dictated that we do some things a little different than what we've done in the past as far as our pitcher's go," said head coach Danny Smith.  "We thought going hard left and coming back with middle right would throw their timing off so our pitchers were only going to face their lineup once through before being replaced. "

"I would say based on the result that it worked."

 Delta scored all of their runs in the game in the bottom of the fourth with two outs.  Ty Robbins reached on a single to left before stealing second base.  After a Drew Harding walk, Ty Jones doubled to left-center to plate Robbins and stake DC to a 1-0 lead. 

Watson Moore then stroked a single to center that would score both Harding and Jones to make it 3-0.  An error by the Bruin second baseman extended the inning for Derrek Clyde who promptly singled to center to score pinch runner Brady Marwede for a 4-0 Pioneer lead. 

Kellogg scored a run in the sixth on three hits to cut the lead to 4-1 but Delta closer Ty Robbins threw a perfect seventh inning to secure the win and collect his fourth save of the season.  Orban was credited with the win to up his record to 5-3 on the season.

Offensively, Delta was led by Jones with a single and a double while Clyde added two hits.

"I'm very proud of our teams' effort, not just in game two today but over the last two weeks," said Smith.  "We had to win 12 of our final 14 league games to make the post-season and we've won 10 of 12 at this point.  We were backed into a corner and we've fought our way out."

The first game of the day saw Kellogg score single runs in the second and fourth innings before plating three in the fifth to win going away.  Ty Jones, making just his second start of the season on the mound, took the loss for Delta.   He went five innings and struck out two. 

"We felt that Ty brought something to the table that Kellogg would struggle with offensively," said Smith.  "Everyone was impressed with his ability on the mound and I think today's start showcased what the future may hold for Ty as far as pitching at Delta."

Jordan Jachens led the offense for DC picking up two hits in three at-bats.

With the split, Delta is now 27-20 overall on the year and 14-10 in conference play.  They can assure themselves a post-season berth with a double-header sweep of visiting Ancilla College on Tuesday.  The Chargers are currently in last place in the MCCAA with a 1-23 record in league play.  Game time is scheduled for 2pm at Wickes Park in Saginaw Township.