Delta Splits Double Header

Taylor, MI – Delta dropped its third straight MCCAA contest on Friday as they lost to the host Hawks of Henry Ford, 1-0 before rebounding for a win in the nightcap, 3-2.  The split leaves Delta at 9-12 overall on the season and 3-5 in conference play. 

Jeff Wright was the tough luck loser on the hill for DC in game one as the sophomore threw his third complete game of the season allowing three hits and one earned run but the Delta offense couldn't score and the Pioneers lost, 1-0.  Last week Wright threw a complete game against St. Clair and took a 0-0 score in to the seventh inning before taking the loss, 2-1. 

"It's a joke," said head coach Danny Smith about when asked about the offense.  "Except it's not funny anymore.  Jeff Wright should be easily 4-1 or 5-0 on the season except we can't score runs.  He's in the top twenty in the country in ERA yet has a 2-3 record because we can't execute on offense."

Henry Ford scored in the first inning on back-to-back doubles for the game winner.

In game two, Delta scored three runs in the first to take their first lead in a game in over a month.  Cam Fowler led off with a single and when Jarred Cooper's sacrifice bunt was thrown away, Delta had runners at second and third with no outs.  Zach Schirmer – moved from leadoff back to the third spot in the order – promptly send a pitch in the gap in left-center to score both runners for a 2-0 lead.  A Devin Sempert grounder moved Schirmer to third before Brandon Bakos laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to give DC the 3-0 cushion.

"We're continuing to look for ways to generate offense," said Smith.  "If that means starting nine freshmen and sitting sophomores or hitting guys in non-traditional spots then so be it.  Our pitchers have been lights out so we're looking at all options."

Henry Ford answered with two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning after two defensive errors but starting pitcher Grant Dittmer held the Hawks in check until the seventh inning.  Over the course of the next four innings, he would face just one batter over the minimum allowing two hits – one of which was erased on a 6-4-3 twin killing. 

Delta went to Robin VanOrden on the bump for the seventh still clinging to a one run lead and the sophomore gave up a leadoff double and a bunt single to start the inning with no outs.  A stolen bag put runners at second and third with the game tying run just ninety feet away and the game winner just ninety feet further than that. 

The Pioneers would get lucky, though, when Henry Ford popped up a suicide squeeze attempt into the glove of Delta catcher Dylan Steinke before the sophomore would fire to third base where shortstop Mitch Morley was covering the bag to nab the runner.  With two outs and the game tying run still at second, VanOrden took matters in to his own hands by striking the final Henry Ford hitter out for his first career save.

Delta mustered just four hits in the game with big blow being Schirmer's first inning double.  Henry Ford fared no better, however, collecting just six hits of their own.  Grant Dittmer collected his second win against one defeat on the season throwing six innings while striking out five.

Due to weather, the Pioneers next play at Schoolcraft Community College on Thursday the 19^th.  The two teams split the Region XII matchup earlier in the season.