By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com
MANISTEE – After their struggles at the plate in the season opener, the Manistee Mariners were hoping for a better showing Friday when they hosted Pine River.
It seemed that might just be in store when the Mariners, who had just six hits Thursday, rapped out seven hits in the first game.
Despite the higher productionat at the plate, the Mariners fell in both games, 11-8 and 17-4.
Manistee got off to a fast start, scoring five runs in the first inning after Pine River opened the the top half of the inning with two runs.
That three-run lead only lasted for one inning as Manistee gave up two runs in the top of the third, cutting its lead to 5-4.
After the Mariners failed to score in the bottom of the third inning, Pine River scored five in the fourth and opened up a 9-5 lead.
Manistee couldn’t make up the difference as Pine River had 13 hits in the game and added two more runs to close out the Mariners in Game 1.
The Mariners had just one fielding error, while the Bucks committed three.
Owen Polcyn took the loss in relief, throwing 2 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on seven hits with three strike outs and one walk.
Keegan Shannon started the game on the hill and worked the first 2 and 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits, four walks and struck out two.
Miles Joseph collected two runs batted in to lead Manistee, while Eli Workman, Keegan Shannon and Polcyn had one RBI each.
Neither team hit the ball well in the nightcap, with each getting two hits. Landin Sowa and Finnagan Nicholson doing the honors for Manistee.
Pine River jumped on the Mariners for nine runs in the top of the first inning and led all the way.
Manistee starter Mason Robinson took the loss, and did not get out of the first inning as he walked eight.
Nolan Freeman pitched two innings of relief and gave up five runs (one earned) and Hudson Cole threw the final frame.
The Mariners are 0-4 and are scheduled to host Evart in another non-conference game Monday.
