Alexander drops season opener in high-scoring affair with Eastern

REEDSVILLE — Going on the road in frigid temperatures to kick off the regular season, Alexander would make a valiant comeback effort but a six-run third inning wouldn’t be enough as the team fell 10-8 to Eastern on Saturday.

For the first showing of the season, the Spartans (0-1) have to be pleased with the offensive results at least, grabbing 11 hits and six RBIs as a unit. Camron Obherholzer would lead the way at the plate for Alexander, going 3-3 on the day with a walk and a run scored. Mason Morris and Sam Ohms would each collect two hits on the day with Morris also driving in a run.

Each of Jordan Schulz, Jackson Jordan, Nolan Jenkins and Josh Hayes would collect one hit apiece. Schulz would rip a three-run home run for his only hit.

On the mound, Jordan would have a rough outing in his first looks of the spring. He would only last 1.2 innings, allowing five hits and runs while striking out four and walking three. Stanley Viny would come in for relief for the rest of the afternoon, going 4.1 innings while allowing six hits and five earned runs over that span.

For the Eagles (1-0), all but four batters would record at least one hit in the win. Caleb Abner would lead the way with a 3-4 day at the plate scoring and driving in a pair of runs in the process. Ethan Edwards and Lane Athna would each collect a pair of hits while Alex Collins, Rowhan Gilmore, Lance Hensler and Hunter Needs each recorded one hit respectively.

Brady Rockhold would get the nod to start for Eastern and last 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs, walking four while striking out a pair. Atha would then pitch the final 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and a pair of runs while striking out three and allowing one free base.

Scoring multiple runs in each of the first couple of innings, including three straight bases loaded walks in the bottom of the second, the Eagles were able to jump out to an early 5-0 lead before the Spartans started to climb back in the third.

Following a leadoff single from Ohms and a walk from Trent Schaad to start the third, Morris would rip a single past the second baseman to give Alexander its first runs of the day. Schulz would then step up and drill the second pitch he saw over the left field fence, suddenly making it a one-run game in the blink of an eye.

After a pair of walks, Hayes would single in Oberhozler to tie things up before Jared Truax would eventually grab the lead when he was able to scamper home from third base on a wild pitch to give the Spartans their first lead of the day.

After a scoreless bottom of the third, Eastern would tie things up in the fourth when Edwards was able to bring himself home on a passed ball. The Eagles would then score two more in the fifth on a pair of fielder’s choice groundouts to make it an 8-6 game entering the sixth.

With only six outs remaining, Alexander came up clutch in the sixth inning when a pair of singles from Ohms and Morris and a hit by pitch gave the Spartans the bases loaded with no outs. Viny would ground into a fielder’s choice to bring in the first run before Schaad was able to steal home to tie things up at eight apiece.

The good vibes would suddenly be cut short though as Abner drilled a two-run single in the following frame, opening up the lead once again. Alexander would then get one man on in the top of the seventh but nothing would come of the opportunity as the team dropped it's season opener.