Onekama sweeps
Leelanau
By DYLAN SAVELA Manistee News Advocate Sports Writer
ONEKAMA — Onekama was clicking on all
cylinders Tuesday while for the second home doubleheader in a row, the
Portagers grabbed both victories early due to the mercy rule.
In the first game, Onekama (7-6, 3-0) went four innings with Leelanau
(0-4) winning 16-1 and captured the victory in the five-inning nightcap,
12-2.
“We had two young kids who stepped up and pitched very well for us,”
Portagers’ coach John Neph said of freshman Kyle Acker (first game) and
sophomore Nathan Fitch (nightcap). “It’s good when you can put in the
younger arms that are able to pitch the whole game. There’s nothing like
game experience.” Neph added.
Acker captured his first career win on the mound by pitching a
one-hitter and striking out two Leelanau batters.
Along with good pitching, the Portagers kept
their bats going at the plate.
Senior Hunter Slade went 3-4, while Ryan Miller, Jared Miller and Kevin
O’Connor all went 2-3.
Zach Teachout, Shawn Gonyon, and Daniel Gillespie each picked up a hit
for the Portagers as well.In the
nightcap, Ryan Miller pitched two innings, struck out one batter and
left the mound with a 9-2 lead. |
Onekama junior Thomas Koon dislodges
third base on a successful steal. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)
Fitch pitched the rest of the way and
struck out two more batters before the Portagers clinched the mercy lead
in the bottom of the fifth inning.
At the plate, Koon and Ryan Miller went 3-4 with Miller picking up three
RBIs, Slade went 2-4, Teachout went 2-3 with an RBI, Gonyon went 3-3
with two RBIs, and Jared Miller and O’Connor went 3-3 and each had an
RBI.
“We got a lot of people in today and they got some good playing time,”
Neph said. “It was a very beneficial non-conference game. We picked up
two wins, got some young kids to play and pitch and we’re developing.
We’re ready for Thursday — going down to Baldwin for two more big
conference games.” |