Cards win Posen tournament, big home games next week

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

There were not a lot of games played during the last week, but the games played by the Cardinal baseball team had positive outcomes. Both were played in Posen last Saturday at the Wozniak Invitational.

JUNIOR CODY Whitsitt pitched two quality innings in Saturday’s tournament in Posen. He kept the Mio batters in check and preserved the win for starter Andrew Prow and the Cards. (Photo by Peter Jakey

 

The Cards (12-4-1) defeated Mio 7-2 and rolled to an easy win over Superior Central, 14-2, in the champinship game. It was a nice trophy to take home for head coach Mike Crull and company. They had solid pitching, good defense and lots of offense, including Chris Cleaver’s second career homer. It was the second in as many days.

The only disappointment during the last week was there just were not of lot of games played and the pre-district game, May 27, in Johannesburg is right around the corner.

That means there will be a lot of games next week.

“Fortunately we have a deep pitching staff,” said Crull. “And we are really going to test it in the next two weeks. We are going to play a lot of back-to-back nights. I hope it does not hurt us.”

It’s a situation facing a lot of schools.

“This is a spring unlike we’ve seen,” said Crull, on a rainy Thursday morning. “We are supposed to play tomorrow and it is supposed to snow. The only other make up days we have available are on weekends.”

Some games may have to be played after districts.

Andrew Prow was solid in the Mio contest. The lefty senior pitched four innings and allowed no earned runs and two hit the Thunderbolts. He struck out five and walked one.

Cody Whitsitt finished up the final innings and allowed one hit and no earned runs. He struck out two and allowed two walks.

Cleaver hit a two-run homer and was intentionally walked two times. He scored three runs.

Zeke Nave had a double, walk, a sacrifice fly and three RBI.

To

mmy Auger was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base.

Matt Tollini pitched four scoreless innings against SC and gave up only two hits. He struck out five and walked three. Morgan McLean pitched one inning (ER, 0 H, 3 W, K).

Auger was 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, a double, two RBI and four stolen bases.

Cleaver was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double and a RBI.

Nave played well in front of his sister Allie, who is back from playing softball with the Alma Scots. He was 3-for-3 in the second game with two runs scored, a double, three RBI and three stolen bases.

The tentative schedule looks like this: at Pellston today (Friday); hosting Mancelona Monday; hosting Bellaire Wednesday. Games against Joburg Thursday were cancelled for the second time this season and might be played after districts.