Albion sweeps non-league twinbill from Tri-State

>> GAME ONE STATISTICS
>> GAME TWO STATISTICS
ALBION, Mich. - The Albion College baseball team came from behind in both games to sweep a non-league doubleheader from Tri-State (Ind.) University by scores of 2-1 and 3-1 at Frank Joranko Field.

With the victories, Albion pushed its season record to 9-7. Albion and Tri-State will complete the three-game series with a nine-inning game Monday, March 29, at 3 p.m.

In game one, Tri-State scored a run in the top of the second before Albion rallied for runs in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, sophomore leftfielder Cody Barkowski (Coldwater/Coldwater) scored when senior centerfielder Bret Gove (Clarkston/Clarkston) laced a double to left field. In the sixth, senior third baseman Mike Cieszkowski (Howell/Hartland) led off with a double to right-center. Cieszkowski scored on a sacrifice fly by first-year designated hitter Tim Gough (Jackson/Jackson).

On the mound, senior Steve Gordon (Plymouth/Salem) improved to 3-1. He worked his third complete game of the season, allowing five hits while striking out four.

Albion only managed four hits in the nightcap, but three of the hits came in a three-run sixth-inning rally. Sophomore first baseman Mike Pisha (Wixom/Walled Lake Western) collected the big hit, a bases-loaded double that drove in two runs. Senior designated hitter Matt Shook (Coldwater/Coldwater) also drove in a run when he drew a bases-loaded walk.

Junior Jonathan Hastings (Fort Gratiot/Port Huron Northern) worked the complete game. He wiggled out of a jam in the seventh inning, as Tri-State had the tying run at second base with one out. Hastings recorded a strikeout and induced a groundout to preserve the victory, his second of the season. Hastings allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four.

Albion's top hitter for the day was junior shortstop Brian Sayers (Chelsea/Chelsea), the only Briton to collect two hits in each game.

Updated March 27, 2004 by Albion College Sports Information