GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team showed grit and determination in a Saturday doubleheader against WHAC opponent Cornerstone University, coming up just short in both games.
Game 1: UM-Dearborn 3, Cornerstone 7
UM-Dearborn kept things competitive early in Game 1, responding quickly after a three-run first by the Golden Eagles. In the top of the second, Alex Schmitt delivered a two-RBI single up the middle, bringing home Brady Dion and Lance Smith to cut the deficit to 3-2.
On the mound, Jack Clever worked through 5.2 innings, striking out five and keeping the game within reach for much of his outing. Jacob White came on in relief and closed the sixth with a quick out.
In the seventh, the Wolverines added one more run when Carter Stephenson drove in Schmitt with a fielder's choice, but Cornerstone held on for the 7-3 win.
Despite only two hits, UM-Dearborn showed sharp plate discipline, drawing five walks and making the most of their opportunities.
Game 2: UM-Dearborn 7, Cornerstone 8
The second game of the doubleheader was a back-and-forth thriller, as the Wolverines rallied from behind twice and nearly pulled off the upset.
After falling behind early, UM-Dearborn tied things up 2-2 in the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Bryce Schwab, who had a solid day both behind the plate and at bat. The offense came alive again in the fifth, seventh, and especially the eighth inning when the Wolverines put up three runs to take a 7-6 lead.
Alex Schmitt came through again with a clutch two-RBI single in the eighth, followed by smart baserunning and heads-up play by Tyler Allos, whose hustle helped push the go-ahead run across.
Max Granatstein also had a strong game, notching two hits including an RBI triple in the seventh, and Carlo Corona drove in the first run of the game in the opening frame.
John Stavola gave the Wolverines five solid innings on the mound before Johnny Hesterman came on in relief. Cornerstone ultimately walked it off in the bottom of the ninth, but not before UM-Dearborn put together one of their most complete offensive games of the season, tallying seven runs on seven hits.