Cardinals split first home games of baseball season

By MATT KING / Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS - The snow that delayed the start of the season for the Mineral Area College baseball team melted away several days ago, but the cold and breezy conditions stuck around on Saturday as the Cardinals opened its home schedule with a double-header against Rend Lake.

Rend Lake 9, Mineral Area 8

A wild opening contest featured eight different pitchers and five ties as both teams had multiple chances to seize the victory. The Cardinals erased a pair of two-run deficits to force extra innings, but the Warriors broke through with an unearned tally in the ninth for a 9-8 triumph.

The Cardinals enjoyed three separate leads of their own, but a total of 10 walks and three hit batsmen allowed by their pitching staff proved costly. The blustery weather took an obvious toll on the control of hurlers from both teams.

Mineral Area clean-up man, Sean Bard drove in the initial run with a RBI double in the first inning, and Jeff Scott scored on a wild throw in the second, but Rend Lake matched each run during the ensuing half-inning.

The Cardinals surged back in front in the third on a RBI double to right-center by Tyler Stahl, and Ryan Blankenship followed with a run-scoring single to make it 4-2.

The lead would quickly evaporate again when the Warriors drew back-to-back walks in the top of the fourth against MAC starter James Huff. Both runners would eventually score, and Huff settled for a no-decision despite issuing seven free passes.

Adam Cadle doubled for the only hit during the top half of the sixth, which saw Rend Lake capitalize on two hit batsmen and a crucial wild pitch for a 6-4 advantage. The Warriors would leave the door open for a MAC rally by leaving the bases open.

The Cardinals proved that they could also make a needed comeback with three straight hits in the bottom of the sixth. Blankenship hustled home on a passed ball after leading off with a double, and Seth Kimrey drew MAC even with a bouncing RBI single to left.

After Rend Lake regained the lead with doubles by Randy Cherry and Steve Bryant in the eighth, MAC responded again when Tony Spencer slapped a clutch, two-run single over the shortstop to drive in Kimrey and Brandon Crook, who delivered a key double in the frame.

Shane Smith used his speed to make a decisive impact for the Warriors in the ninth, stealing two bases after leading off with a single. MAC reliever Ryan Hilton retired the next batter on a shallow fly ball, then induced a dribbling ground ball that was misplayed, allowing Smith to cross the plate.

Brock Dorris tossed a perfect bottom of the ninth to record the win for Rend Lake, which was led offensively by Smith and Chris Clark with two hits apiece.

Kimrey went 2-for-3 with one run scored, and Blankenship finished 2-for-4 to lead the Cardinals. Aaron Miller walked twice and scored each time.

Rend Lake 011 202 021 - 9 7 2

Mineral Area 112 002 020 - 8 9 2

WP - Dorris 2i 2r 2h 2k 2bb

LP - Hilton 1 1/3i 1r 2h 1k 0bb

Hitting:

Rend Lake - Smith 2-4, Clark 2-4, Cherry 1-3, Bryant 1-4, Cadle 1-5. 2b - Bryant, Cherry, Cadle.

Mineral Area - Kimrey 2-3, Blankenship 2-3, Bard 1-2, Crook 1-3, Spencer 1-5, Scott 1-5, Stahl 1-5. 2b - Bard, Stahl, Blankenship, Crook.

Mineral Area 4, Rend Lake 2

Game two appeared to be in jeopardy of suspension due to limited remaining daylight, but early run production from the MAC lineup and efficient pitching from starter Andy Moss helped the Cardinals complete six innings for a 4-2 victory.

Moss struck out seven batters and walked four while allowing just three hits in the shortened complete game. Moss enjoyed a 4-0 cushion before surrendering his first hit, a single by Bryant in the fourth inning.

Mineral Area (2-2) tallied all four of its runs in the second inning, quickly chasing right-hander Andrew Pirillo from the mound. Blankenship continued an excellent start with his second home run of the season over the wall in right field to begin the frame.

Three consecutive one-out singles to left by Mike Materia, Garrett Hulsey and Spencer loaded the bases, and sophomore Joaby Sikes pulled a clutch double down the line with two outs to make it 3-0. Spencer then capped the inning by scoring on a wild pitch.

Rend Lake cut into its deficit with back-to-back RBI singles by Cherry and Clark in the fifth, but Moss escaped further danger with a soft pop fly along the infield before striking out the side in the sixth.

Anthony Patton singled for MAC in the fifth inning, and was also hit by a pitch to finish the game 1-for-2.

Cort Alsop pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings of relief for the Warriors with three strikeouts.

The Cardinals will return to action on Tuesday with two games at Kaskaskia.

Rend Lake 000 020 - 2 3 0

Mineral Area 040 00x - 4 6 1

WP - Moss 6i 2r 3h 7k 4bb.

LP - Pirillo 1 1/3i 3r 3h 0k 1bb.

Hitting:

Rend Lake - Cherry 1-1, Bryant 1-3, Clark 1-3.

Mineral Area - Patton 1-2, Materia 1-2, Hulsey 1-2, Blankenship 1-3, Spencer 1-3, Sikes 1-3. 2b - Sikes. HR - Blankenship (2).