UTICA, Mich. – In game one of the double header, Lawrence Tech erased an early deficit, then answered Defiance's biggest push with two runs in the sixth inning to secure a 7-4 victory at UWM Field. The decisive stretch came after Defiance cut a four-run gap to 5-4 in the top of the sixth. Lawrence Tech responded immediately in the bottom half.
Brady Lee doubled and later scored, and
Justin Baird added a sacrifice fly to push the Blue Devils back in front by three runs, where the margin stayed through the seventh.
Lawrence Tech had a three-run inning in the first. With a
Luke Weinberger single and later scoring on a throwing error,
Andrew Merz delivered an RBI double that brought home
Justin Baird, and another Blue Devils run scored after an error to make it 3-1. The Blue Devils added to the lead in the fourth. Lee tripled to right-center field and later scored and Weinberger brought in another run on a sacrifice play to extend the advantage to 5-1. Lee finished with two hits, two runs scored, a triple, a double and an RBI. Weinberger collected two hits, scored twice, drove in two runs and stole two bases. Merz also contributed an RBI double as Lawrence Tech finished with 10 hits and put constant pressure on Defiance with eight stolen bases.
Lawrence Tech starter
Dominic Miller gave the Blue Devils a steady opening on the mound, working five innings and allowing one run on six hits with three strikeouts over 75 pitches. The Lawrence Tech staff covered the final two innings after Defiance's sixth-inning surge, and the Blue Devils closed out the win after allowing nine hits and four runs, three earned, across seven innings.
The Blue Devils finished with seven runs on 10 hits and one error, while Defiance totaled four runs on nine hits and three errors. Lawrence Tech also left eight runners on base but repeatedly created extra chances with aggressive base running and timely contact, especially in the first, fourth and sixth innings.
In game two, the loss came in a game with sharp swings. Lawrence Tech scored in each of the first four innings and built an 8-0 lead through the top of the third, only to see Defiance erupt with 10 runs in the bottom of the inning to move in front 10-8.
The Blue Devils did not fade. Lawrence Tech reclaimed the lead with a five-run sixth inning, turning a two-run deficit into a 14-10 advantage. Schornak delivered an RBI single in that rally, and the Blue Devils continued to pressure Defiance despite the home side's offensive volume.
Lawrence Tech finished with 16 runs on 14 hits, drew seven walks and was hit by five pitches. The Blue Devils also put constant pressure on the bases, stealing 11 bags.
They are to play Lourdes University at UWM Field, Utica, Mich. Friday April 10.
