ADRIAN, Mich. - Game one of the weekend, Lawrence Tech broke open a tie game with a four-run fifth inning and added three more runs in the sixth to defeat Siena Heights 10-6 at McLaughlin Stadium. The Blue Devils erased an early deficit and twice threatened to swing the game, but Lawrence Tech answered each push and held on late.

Lawrence Tech set the tone immediately, scoring three times in the top of the first inning for a 3-1 lead. The early damage included runs that came home on a passed ball and a wild pitch, with Drew Schornak helping spark the opening burst. Siena Heights settled in and pulled even in the third.

The game turned in the fifth. After the teams traded tense innings, Lawrence Tech erupted for four runs in the top half to move in front 7-3, with Andrew Merz contributing to the rally as the visitors strung together run-producing at-bats. Siena Heights answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the margin to 7-5, but Lawrence Tech did not let the momentum linger.

The visitors created breathing room again in the sixth, pushing across three more runs for a 10-5 advantage. Schornak was again in the middle of the action and finished with one hit, three runs scored, one RBI, and a walk while also being hit by a pitch. Justin Baird delivered one of the top offensive lines for Lawrence Tech, going for two hits, two runs, two RBI, a walk and three stolen bases. Luke Weinberger added two hits and a run as Lawrence Tech made the most of limited chances, scoring 10 runs on eight hits.

Speed and pressure played a major role throughout the afternoon. Lawrence Tech stole nine bases and took advantage of four Siena Heights errors, forcing the Blue Devils to defend constantly. Siena Heights finished with nine hits of its own, including a three-hit, two-RBI game from Melvin, but left nine runners on base and could not fully capitalize after climbing back into contention.

Kenny Wright earned the win for Lawrence Tech after working five innings. He allowed seven hits and five runs, four earned, while striking out five and walking two. Siena Heights scratched out one more run in the sixth to get within 10-6, but Lawrence Tech closed the door from there. Nick McCormick recorded the final outs in relief to secure the finish as Lawrence Tech completed the road win before a crowd of 55.

In game two, Lawrence Tech broke a 1-1 tie with an unearned run in the seventh inning, then added insurance over the final three frames to secure a 5-1 win over Siena Heights. The Blue Devils turned a tight game into a comfortable one by capitalizing on Siena Heights' defensive mistakes, scoring four unearned runs in the victory.

The decisive push started in the seventh. After Siena Heights had pulled even in the fourth, Lawrence Tech moved back in front when D'Andrea Parnell delivered an RBI single that brought home Brady Lee for a 2-1 lead. The Blue Devils added two more unearned runs in the eighth. Andrew Merz lifted a sacrifice fly to score Brady Osterhouse, and later in the inning Luke Weinberger came home on a pick off and throwing sequence that stretched the advantage to 4-1.

Lawrence Tech opened the scoring in the second inning when Justin Baird crossed the plate on a throwing error. Siena Heights answered in the fourth with its only run. From there, the Blue Devils' pitching staff kept the home side from generating another breakthrough.

Ethan Hochendoner set the tone with a dominant start for Lawrence Tech. He worked seven innings, allowed two hits and one earned run, walked five and struck out 16. Siena Heights managed only three hits for the game and struck out 16 times overall against Blue Devils pitching, with Lawrence Tech's relievers finishing the final two innings to close it out.

At the plate, Baird led Lawrence Tech with two hits in four at-bats and scored once. Parnell finished with a hit, an RBI and a walk, while the Blue Devils also used pressure on the bases to help create offense, stealing three bases. Lawrence Tech finished with seven hits and left only four runners on base.

The Blue Devils added their final run in the ninth when Brady Rogers scored on a throwing error after Bess Brayden struck out but reached safely. That sequence was fitting for the way the game unfolded, with Lawrence Tech consistently forcing Siena Heights to make plays and turning six opponent errors into the margin needed to close out a 5-1 road win.

The Blue Devils will return to McLaughlin Stadium tomorrow to face Siena Heights in the second half of the weekend's battle.