SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team picked up two victories over Rochester College in the 2018 home opener at Hank Burbridge Field on Thursday. The Cougars rallied from an early 4-0 hole to beat the Warriors 13-6 in the first game before posting a 6-1 win in the nightcap.

THE BASICS

SCORES: Spring Arbor 13, Rochester 6;

Spring Arbor 6, Rochester 1

LOCATION: Hank Burbridge Field | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 12-12, Rochester 3-17

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Rochester recorded four runs in the top of the first inning to grab the early advantage. The Warriors registered just one hit, but were issued six walks. With three runs already in and the bases loaded with only one out, junior Kyle Harris came on out of the bullpen. Making his first career appearance on the mound, Harris escaped the jam with only more run crossing the plate.
• Harris remained in the game the rest of the way and would deliver a gem. The right-hander surrendered just three hits and one earned run the rest of the way, giving Spring Arbor a chance to get back in the game.
• The Cougars exploded for eight runs in the third inning to take the lead and never looked back. SAU was aided by five walks and three wild pitches by Rochester pitchers. Danilo Leon and Chris Triplett had the big hits in the inning, each producing two-RBI singles.
• Jack Driscoll and Triplett were the catalysts at the top of the order. Both collected two hits apiece, and the duo combined to draw five walks and steal three bases.
• A catcher by trade, Harris was brilliant in his debut on the mound. He finished the afternoon with 6.2 innings of outstanding relief giving up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor looked to pull out the broom as junior Zachariah Devon got the ball for the sweep in game two. Warrior freshman pitcher Brandon Evan had something to say about it though in what turned out to be a pitching duel for much of the afternoon.
• Rochester took the lead with an unearned run in the top of the second inning, but SAU answered right back with two runs in the home half of the frame. Evan Lorey doubled to bring home Vincent Herschberger, and a sacrifice fly by Noah Brook scored Josiah Kitchen.
• That was all the run support Devon needed as he held the Warriors scoreless the rest of the way.
• Spring Arbor added to its lead with three runs in the sixth inning. Danilo Leon delivered a two-out, two-RBI single. He would also come around to score on a base hit by Jack Driscoll.
• Driscoll was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Kitchen reached base three times drawing three walks and scored twice.
• Devon went six strong innings allowing one run and scattering five hits. The junior transfer carved up the Warrior lineup with a season-high eight strikeouts on his way to earning his first win of the season.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH RYAN MARKEN

• "How about Kyle Harris! He stepped up and filled in when we needed it most. That kid does everything we ask, and today was a perfect example of that. To throw 6.2 relief innings and have the stat line he had – love his resolve. We talk about next man up and that's what we got today. I loved our team's resolve all day."
• "We did some really good things offensively and Zachariah Devon gave us six quality innings in game two. A great way to begin the home stand. Two tough conference games tomorrow. Looking forward to those matchups. Excited for our guys."

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor welcomes Mount Vernon Nazarene University (11-8, 0-1 CL) on Friday and Saturday in a Crossroads League matchup. A doubleheader is scheduled Friday, Mar. 23 with first pitch set for 2 p.m., then again Saturday, Mar. 24 for a single game at Hank Burbridge Field.

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