REPORT FOR MAY 16. 2002
BASEBALL TEAM FALLS TO LAKELAND IN NCAA III TOURNAMENT OPENER
OSHKOSH, WI - With senior right-hander Mike Ott tossing a perfect game and
Calvin holding a 3-0 lead midway through its NCAA III Tournament opener with
Lakeland (WI) Thursday afternoon, it appeared that the Knights might secure
their first-ever NCAA III Tournament victory. A two-out walk in the fifth
inning proved to be not so subtle however as Lakeland turned the walk into a
momentum changer and continued on for a 5-3 come-from-behind victory at the
double-elimination Midwest Regional tournament at the University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
With the victory, Lakeland advances into a winner's bracket game Friday
afternoon against defending national champion St. Thomas of Minnesota while
Calvin must face top-seeded Wisconsin-Stevens Point (35-8-1) in a potential
elimination game Friday at 2:00 p.m. (EST).
Through four-and-a-half innings of play, Thursday's contest was all Calvin
College as the Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead with two runs in the top of the
third and another run in the fourth. Freshman Josh Vriesman (Denver, CO) drove
in Calvin's first run on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center that scored
senior Mark Jansen (Denver, CO). Junior Arie Eppinga (Walnut Creek) followed
with a run-scoring double into the left-centerfield gap to score sophomore Bryce
Weston (Petoskey). In the fourth, Jansen reached based on a one-out single and
later scored the third run on the game on an RBI single by sophomore Terry
O'Neal (Muskegon-Reeths Puffer). Meanwhile, Ott was retiring the first 12
Lakeland batters in order and in the bottom of the fifth, the former Union High
School standout retired the first two batters to bump the streak to 14.
With two outs, Lakeland rightfielder Bo Heinemeyer drew a walk and moved to
second on an infield single by shortstop Jim Kluck. Third baseman Tadd Russell
then belted a two-run RBI double to center and was then thrown out at third,
attempting to stretch the two-base hit into a triple.
Although trailing 3-2, Lakeland had the momentum which Calvin would never gain
back. In the sixth inning, Calvin left the bases full and in the top of the
seventh, a potential rally was cut down by a sparkling catch by Heinemeyer in
right field that robbed Calvin sophomore Darrell Heuker of an extra-base hit
with senior Ben Dykhouse (Grand Rapids Christian) on first. The catch turned
into a double-play as Dykhouse was doubled off on a quick throw from Heinemeyer
to first.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Muskies (30-14-1) erupted for three runs,
using two hits, a walk, a balk and a wild pitch to take a 5-3 lead. An RBI
single by catcher Matt Frelich tied the scored at three and Russell then came up
with another clutch hit, smashing a two-run RBI single to centerfield with two
outs.
Calvin was then retired in order in the eighth and in the ninth, a one-out walk
by sophomore Aaron Griffith (Manhattan, KS) went for naught as Lakeland came up
with a game-ending double-play on a ground ball to third.
Calvin outhit Lakeland 8-5 but stranded 10 runners while Lakeland left just two
on base. Ott (5-5) took the loss, striking out six and walking three while
freshman Steve Plucinski (9-2) picked up the comple-game victory for Lakeland,
striking out four and walking four.
Weston was a bright spot for Calvin in defeat as the sophomore centerfield went
3-for-4 at the plate while O'Neal was also 2-for-4. Russell was the thorn in
Calvin's side for Lakeland as he went 2-for-3 with four RBI's.
Making its third NCAA III Tournament appearance, Calvin is now 0-5 in
post-season play. Lakeland was making its first-ever NCAA III Tournament
appearance in Thursday's game. Calvin will now face a Wisconsin-Stevens Point
squad that defeated George Fox (OR) 9-3 in a first round game Thursday. In the
other first round contest, St. Thomas defeated Blackburn (IL) 7-2. Blackburn
and George Fox (OR) will meet in an 11:00 a.m. (EST) contest Friday, preceeding
the Calvin-Wisconsin-Stevens' Point matchup.
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