By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – Just when it seemed like the Muskegon Clippers were back on track following their first loss of the season, the River City Rapids popped up to cause problems again.
Last Thursday the Clippers lost to River City to blemish their otherwise perfect record. They got back on a roll over the weekend, sweeping three road games from the Motor City Pride by a combined score of 35-4.
But River City came to town on Tuesday and destroyed the euphoria by handing the Clippers a 7-2 loss at Marsh Field.
Matt Mandes looks for the throw at second base as River City’s Gage Hammond goes in for the slide. Photo/Jason Goorman
The Clippers had an early 2-0 lead, but hurt their own cause by committing six errors in the game, including three in a costly third inning.
Muskegon is now 11-2 and remains safely in first place in the Michigan Summer Collegiate Baseball Leagues. River City improved to 6-4, good for second place in the standings.
“This team is a very good baseball team (River City),” said Clippers Manager Walt Gawkowski. “We did not play well tonight, especially defensively.
“It’s a game of 27 outs. When you give them five or six extra outs you are going to lose the game.”
Starting pitcher Jordan Drake took the loss for the Clippers, allowing five runs on five hits in six innings. The Clippers only managed four hits in the game – two apiece from Kyle Wise and Jason Ribecky.
River City starter Spencer Goebel picked up the win, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings.
Wise was responsible for the Clippers’ only runs with a two-RBI single in the first inning to give Muskegon a 2-0 lead. Connor Seymour (back in the lineup after suffering a wrist injury last week) and Matt Williams scored on the hit.
Kyle Lawson delivers the pitch for Muskegon. Photo/Jason Goorman
The Rapids took advantage of three Clipper errors in the third inning to score three runs and gain a lead that would not be relinquished.
The visitors started the inning by loaded the bases with nobody out on three Muskegon infield mistakes. Logan Magsig cut the Rapids’ deficit to 2-1 with a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Then Ian Yetsko gave the Rapids a 3-2 lead with a two-run double.
Yetsko extended the River City lead to 5-2 with a two-run homer in the fifth inning.
The Rapids closed the scoring in the eighth inning with two runs on two hits and one error. Gage Hammond scored on a Clippers throwing error, while Magsig picked up his second RBI on with a ground out.
Kyle Lawson pitched two innings of relief for the Clippers, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two.
Brandon Melchert pitched a hitless ninth inning for the Clippers.
