SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team claimed a pair of victories against Indiana Wesleyan University on Saturday at Hank Burbridge Field, defeating the Wildcats 6-1 in the opener before taking game two 8-5.

THE BASICS

SCORES: Spring Arbor 6, Indiana Wesleyan 1;

Spring Arbor 8, Indiana Wesleyan 5

LOCATION: Hank Burbridge Field | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 12-18 (5-5 CL), Indiana Wesleyan 18-18 (4-6 CL)

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor had its offense clicking right away against Indiana Wesleyan. Chris Triplett reached base to open the bottom of the first inning and would later come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Conner Lengerich. Nick Harris would also deliver an RBI single in the frame to put SAU up 2-0.
• The Cougars tacked on two more runs in the third inning. A one-out double by Tyler Reed allowed Jack Driscoll to cross the plate. Two batters later, Harris would come through with another clutch hit to drive in Reed.
• That was all of the support senior pitcher Brody Harris needed. In one of his best outings of the season, the southpaw blanked the Wildcats through six innings on his way to his second complete game of the campaign. Harris scattered six hits while allowing just one run and striking out five batters.
• Harris went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and two stolen bases. Triplett went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored while Driscoll went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor wasted little time getting on the scoreboard again in game two, plating three runs in the first inning – capped by an RBI single by Kyle Harris.
• Indiana Wesleyan managed to even the score at 3-3 in the fifth inning after scoring single runs in the second, fourth and fifth frames.
• After allowing the Wildcats to tie things up, SAU erupted for five runs in the home half of the fifth to regain control. A pair of IWU errors extended the inning and the Cougars made it hurt. A bases loaded single by James Hall put Spring Arbor up 5-3, and with the bases still full, Alex Holley brought everyone home with a double off the wall in left-center field.
• The visitors clawed their way back into the game with two runs in the eighth inning, but Elijah Brook entered the game in the ninth and slammed the door shut to earn his first save of the season.
• Six different Cougars recorded hits. Reed and Lengerich scored two runs each while Holley collected three RBI.
• Duncan Patterson earned the win. Patterson surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings of work while fanning six.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will visit Taylor University (18-13, 7-3 CL) on Monday, Apr. 3 before returning home to wrap up its series with Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday, Apr. 4. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

TEAM BUDDY DAY

The day was about more than just baseball – it was a reminder of what is truly important.

The Cougars hosted Team Buddy Day at the ballpark where they welcomed a new member to their team – 7-year-old Braden "Buddy" Miller.

Buddy is the son of Jeni and Brad Miller, and has two sisters Alyssa and Alexis. Earlier this year, the Millers were given the news that Buddy had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – an inoperable tumor that is embedded in the nerves that feed into the Pons area of the brain. Despite the diagnosis, Buddy's positive attitude and unwavering spirit continue to drive him and provide inspiration to everyone he meets.

Prior to the first game against IWU, Buddy delivered the ceremonial first pitch. He, and his family, were also cheering for his new teammates from the dugout.

After the game, Buddy made it official and signed a letter of intent to join the Cougars.

"Buddy is an inspiring young boy," said Marken. "To be faced with this kind of challenge and attack it head on with his unwavering attitude is something we should all take note of. He has had a deep and lasting impact on a lot of the young men on our team. I've watched grown men break down in my office talking about Buddy and how he lives his life despite this awful disease. It really puts things into perspective. At the end of the day though, the coolest part is that Buddy knows Jesus. He knows about a miraculous powerful God. A God who heals. And right now we are praying with and for them for a miracle. This boy has and will continue to touch the lives of everyone around him."

If you are interested in helping Buddy and his family, you can visit the Team Buddy Boy Facebook page or a GoFundMe page here.

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