MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team returned to action in the first of a three-game series with Mount Vernon Nazarene University Friday in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
The Wolverines rallied late to cut a once 5-1 MVNU lead to one in the ninth, but the Cougars held on for the 5-4 win. The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 3-3 overall this season.
UM-Dearborn got the scoring started in the first win an RBI single from Ryan Beadle to make it 1-0. The Cougars scored the next five runs, including three in the sixth.
Andrew Capone got the Wolverine offense going again in the eighth, leading off with a triple and scoring on a wild throw, while Beadle added another RBI single later in the inning. An MVNU error in the ninth got the Wolverines another run, but UM-Dearborn left two runners on in the final frame.
Jacob Leija got the start on the mound and was charged with the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out five. Shaun Hannibal and Beadle each finished with two hits.
The Wolverines and Cougars play two more starting at noon on Saturday in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
