Onekama sweeps TC
Christian
Portagers
pound out 20 runs in 2 wins against Sabres
By DYLAN SAVELA, News Advocate Sports Writer
ONEKAMA — When it rains it pours, and
under overcast skies Onekama continued to keep its bats going and rack
up the runs Thursday against Traverse City Christian, sweeping the
Sabres 11-1 in the first game and 9-4 in the nightcap.
“We had two good games,” Onekama coach John Neph said. “Offensively, we
did a fine job at getting nine runs and 11 runs — that’s 10 runs a game,
so we’re pretty happy with that part.”
The Portagers (16-8) were down 1-0 in the first inning of the first
game, but it was the only Sabre run allowed.
Onekama crossed home plate twice to jump ahead in the second inning, and
opened up the lead in the third by scoring seven more runs.
“Onekama is a tough team,” Traverse City
Christian’s coach Tom Broderick said. “I thought we hit the ball well,
but there was one inning each game, where, if we could have stopped the
bleeding a little bit, we’d be in much better shape. But (Onekama)
opened the flood gate a little bit and they hit the ball well.”
The Portagers scored two more times in the bottom of the fourth, and
wrapped the game up defensively in the top half of the fifth.
Danny Gillespie pitched the first three innings for Onekama and tallied
four strikeouts, before being relieved by freshman Kyle Acker, who
struck out one Sabre batter.
Jared Miller led the Portagers with two hits including a double, while
Gillespie, Kevin O’Connor, Zach Teachout, Shawn Gonyon, and Joe
Kosiboski all got on base with a hit.
Time restraints allowed for only three innings in the nightcap, but the
Portagers made use of the little time they had.
Traverse City Christian (3-27) jumped out to an early lead again,
scoring two runs in the top of the first, but Onekama answered with
three of their own in the bottom half.
Acker made his second relief trip to the mound in the second inning,
taking over for the Portagers’ Stephen Verrett.
Four strikeouts for Acker and a six-run second-inning rally later, the
Portagers completed the sweep in the top half of the third. |
Onekama’s Kyle Acker pitched
in relief during both games of a doubleheader against TC Christian
and had five strikeouts. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)
“Kyle Acker came through for us when we
needed some big time pitching,” Neph said. “He came in both in the first
and second game in relief, and pitched strikes. That’s a lot to ask for
from a freshman. He did a great job.”
At the plate for Onekama, Thomas Koon had a hit and two RBIs, O’Connor
and Miller each had a double and an RBI, Teachout and Gonyon each had a
hit and an RBI, while Acker, Kosiboski, and Hunter Slade each picked up
a hit.
“We’re going to enjoy these wins, but not for very long,” Neph said.
“We’re going to get right back at it tomorrow, and prepare for our game
against Big Rapids CC (Crossroads Charter Academy) next Tuesday.”
The Portagers’ hope to capture the win against the Cougars, because it
will clinch at least a share of the West Michigan D League title with
Manistee Catholic Central. |