CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MAY 6, 2004
BASEBALL
Although the Knights have been mathematically eliminated from contention for
the 2004 MIAA championship long ago, they will have a direct say in who wins
the crown.
On Thursday, Calvin handed league-leading Albion (12-4 MIAA) a 7-3 defeat
while second place Adrian (13-5 MIAA) swept a doubleheader up at Alma.
Heading into a season-ending doubleheader tomorrow with Calvin, Albion must
win one of two with the Knights to gain a share of the final league crown and
needs a sweep to win the title outright and gain the MIAA's automatic bid to
the NCAA III Tournament. In the case of a tie for the title, Adrian would hold
the tie-breaker edge over Albion as the Bulldogs took two of three from the
Britons in a conference series earlier this spring.
Calvin (15-23 overall, 6-10 MIAA) set the tone for Thursday's victory with a
three-run homer to straightaway centerfield by junior Andy Bunting (Glen Lake
HS) in the first inning. The belt by Bunting carried high and far over the 400
foot barrier and came on the first offering from Albion ace Jonathan Hastings
(7-1). The home run was the first of the year for Bunting and the first home
run allowed by Hastings this year.
Calvin then added a run in the third on a throwing error and another in the
fourth on a clutch two-out RBI single by sophomore Mike Aggen (Evergreen Park,
IL) to build a 5-0 lead. With a five-run cushion behind him, Calvin sophomore
ace Jim Deters (5-3) was able to cruise the rest of the way as he struck out
nine batters without a walk while scattering nine hits against an Albion lineup
that carried an MIAA-leading .323 league batting average heading into
Thursday's game.
Albion picked up two runs in the sixth on a double by Mike Pisha but the
Knights answered back with a run in the bottom half as Aggen delivered another
RBI single. Calvin would add another insurance marker in the seventh on a
sacrifice fly by senior Darrell Heuker (Unity Christian HS).
Albion's final run would come in the top of the ninth on a three-base error
by the Calvin outfield.
Calvin finished the afternoon with 10 hits as Aggen went 3-for-5 at the plate
while junior Josh Vriesman (Denver, CO) went 3-for-3 with three runs scored,
raising his league batting average to .400.
Deters is now 3-0 lifetime against Albion and 18-5 overall in his collegiate
career. With his nine strikeouts, Deters was able to build his 2004 MIAA total
to 50 which could allow him to lead the league in strikeouts for the second
time in his career.
Friday's doubleheader between Calvin and Albion is scheduled to begin at
2:00 p.m.. Both games will be seven-inning contests and will be aired via
RealAudio over the Calvin web site at: www.Calvin.edu/sports
MIAA BASEBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 5-6-04 GAMES
Albion 12-4
Adrian 13-5
Hope 8-7
Olivet 8-7
Alma 9-9
Calvin 6-10
Kalamazoo 2-16
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu May 6 20:45:49 2004
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