Albion bows to Alma in MIAA opener

» GAME STATISTICS

ALBION, Mich. - The Albion College baseball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association action with a 7-2 loss to Alma College at Frank Joranko Field.

Albion fell behind early as Alma struck for two runs in the first inning and added single runs in the second, fifth and sixth.

The Britons rallied for its runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Mike Gough (Newport/Monroe St. Mary's) led off with a walk and came home when junior David Seales (Alma/Alma) tripled to the fence in right-center. Seales scored on a ground out by sophomore Richard Engelmann (Grand Blanc/Flint Powers).

Albion also loaded the bases in the eighth inning as Englemann doubled down the left field line, senior Mark Flancbaum (Orchard Lake/West Bloomfield) laid down a bunt single, and junior Brian Sayers (Chelsea/Chelsea) walked. The Britons were unable to score as Alma pitcher Brandon Teenier retired the next two Albion batters on fly outs.

On the mound, senior Steve Gordon (Plymouth/Salem) started for the Britons. He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks. Sophomores Matt Lipsey (Grand Ledge/Grand Ledge) and Justin Prinstein (Farmington Hills/North Farmington) each worked an inning in relief.

Teenier did not yield a hit to the Britons until the sixth inning. He worked the complete game with two runs, four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Ray Ribitch and Jim Wegener led the Alma offense with three hits apiece. Pat Ott collected two hits, including his first homerun of the season.

The teams will complete the three-game MIAA series Saturday with a doubleheader of seven-inning games at Albion's Frank Joranko Field. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.

All photographs below by Gregg Twietmeyer, Albion College sports information assistant.

Senior third baseman Mike Cieszkowski gets set to make a play in the field.	Senior pitcher Steve Gordon, shown here in the windup of a warmup pitch, worked seven innings against Alma.
Senior third baseman Mike Cieszkowski awaits a pitch from Alma's Brandon Teenier.	Senior first baseman Matt Shook tries to hold an Alma base runner close to the bag.

Updated April 02, 2004 by Albion College Sports Information