SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University baseball team closed out its four-game series with Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Monday at Hank Burbridge Field, falling 4-0 in the opener before rallying for a 6-5 extra-inning victory in game two to secure the series win.
With the results, the Cougars have won five of their last six games and improve to 16-13 overall and 11-9 in Crossroads League play.
In game one, Mount Vernon Nazarene held a slim 1-0 lead through four innings before breaking the game open with a three-run home run in the fifth. Spring Arbor was limited to five hits in the contest, with
Connor Reed leading the way with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double.
Reed also took the loss on the mound, allowing three runs over four innings.
Kyle Kantola and
Jared Plane combined for four scoreless innings of relief.
The Cougars responded in game two with a back-and-forth battle that extended into extra innings.
Joey Tessmer got SAU on the board early with a solo home run in the first inning and later added an RBI hit in the fourth to help build a 3-0 lead.
Colin Snyder was dominant through six innings, keeping Mount Vernon Nazarene off the scoreboard before the visitors rallied in the seventh. Down to their final out, Mount Vernon Nazarene broke through with an RBI single before a three-run home run gave them a 4-3 lead.
Spring Arbor answered immediately, as Tessmer delivered his second home run of the game in the bottom of the seventh to tie the score and force extra innings.
After Mount Vernon Nazarene regained the lead with a solo home run in the eighth, the Cougars responded once again. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch allowed two runs to score, giving SAU the walk-off victory.
Tessmer led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, blasting two home runs and driving in three runs.
Nate Dutkowski added a 2-for-3 effort and scored three times.
Snyder went the distance on the mound, earning the win after allowing five runs on six hits over eight innings.
Spring Arbor returns to action on Tuesday, March 31, traveling to face Lourdes University in non-conference play.
