LocalSportsJournal.com
The Muskegon Clippers came into Saturday’s doubleheader tired and bruised, with their grip on first place in their league in sudden jeopardy.
They had lost three of their previous four and their lead in the standings was below three games.
They desperately needed at least one win, and came away with two.
The Clippers sucked it up and took a big step toward clinching a league title, beating the Michigan Monarchs 2-1 in 13 innings and 11-4 in the nightcap at Siena Heights University.
Nick Holt had the game-winning hit in the 13th inning of the opener while Matt Williams and Brandon Melchert combined to pitch 13 brilliant innings. Williams was the offensive hero in the second game with five RBIs while Jordan Drake was strong on the mound.
Muskegon is now 20-6 on the season, good for first place in the Michigan Summer Collegiate Baseball League. The River City Rapids are in second place, four games behind the Clippers, while the Monarchs fell to third, 4 1/2 back.
The Clippers have five scheduled games remaining, with several rainout makeups possible. They play the River City Rapids on Monday at Marsh Field in their last scheduled home game.
In Game 1, Connor Seymour opened the scoring in the fifth inning with an RBI single, scoring Jackson Overlund.
The Monarchs tied the game 1-1 with an RBI single from Jimmy Scott in the seventh inning.
The game, which was scheduled for seven innings, became a 13-inning marathon.
Holt was the hero for the Clippers, scoring Jason Ribecky with the game-winning single in the top of the 13th.
Ribecky and Overlund led Muskegon with two hits while Seymour hit a double.
Williams, normally the team closer, started and pitched nine innings for the Clippers, allowing one run on five hits while striking out 13 batters. His performance came on the heels of a three-inning relief performance Thursday night.
Melchert picked up the victory for the Clippers, tossing four hitless innings of relief.
The Clippers broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning of Game 2, scoring seven runs to take an 8-1 lead.
Williams had two hits, including a triple, and knocked in five runs for Muskegon. Matt Mandes had three RBIs and two hits.
Cameron Bair led the Clippers with three hits.
Jordan Drake pitched the victory in Game 2 for the Clippers, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings.
Holt pitched an inning of relief to complete the doubleheader sweep.