LocalSportsJournal.com
SANDUSKY – In a low scoring affair Wednesday evening, the Muskegon Clippers were able to recover from a shutout loss the night prior to defeat the Sandusky Ice Haulers, 3-1.
The teams both played even through the initial three innings, with neither surrendering a hit to their opponent. Then, in the fourth inning, both got on the board as the Clippers’ Stoney Smith singled and was answered right back by a single from the Ice Haulers.
Sandusky broke the stalemate on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning after a fielding error from Muskegon allowed a runner to cross the plate. Standing at a one-run deficit and only one hit in the game, the Clippers were in desperate need of some offense.
That offense came through in the top of the seventh. With two outs, the Clippers capitalized off a Sandusky error to get Brandon Scheurer on base. Sheehan OConnor was then hit by a pitch and followed up with a double from Colin Cornwell. Cornwell scored two runners and crossed the plate himself when Donovan Rinehart singled. In the blink of an eye, Muskegon had a 3-1 lead.
The Ice Haulers gave the Clippers a bit of a scare in the bottom of the ninth inning when they notched a string of three singles and loaded the bases. The Clippers remained sound on defense however, fighting back to tend the inning on three strikeouts.
Daniel Gutierrez earned the win after throwing six innings worth and allowing just one hit and one run while striking out six. Gavin Stiarz and Scheurer both saw work in relief.
Three hits is all it took for the Clippers to claim the win. Smith, Cornwell and Rinehart were responsible for those, with Cornwell earning the only RBI of the night.
Muskegon improved to 9-1 on the year and will look to win the series with Sandusky in the third and final game at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
