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McLouth HIgh baseball team sweeps Immaculata in doubleheader

By Shawn Linenberger - | Apr 16, 2015

McLouth High scored seven early runs and was able to hold on to win Game 1 of a doubleheader, 9-7, last week in baseball action against Immaculata.

Senior pitcher Wyatt Hermann allowed just two earned runs while striking out five Raiders as he picked up his second win of the season.

“I felt that Wyatt commanded his pitches better tonight than he has all year.” said coach Kevin Stewart. “He is really starting to get into form.”

In the bottom of the first inning, back-to-back singles by sophomores Dante Nelson and Brody Troupe put the Bulldogs ahead, 4-0. After scoring three more runs in the second, McLouth had a chance to put the game away, but back-to-back errors allowed the Raiders to hang around.

“I’m happy with the wins, but we still have plenty of areas we need to improve, including our defense,” Stewart said.

With a 7-4 lead after four innings, the Bulldogs called on top relief pitcher Travis Bartlett. The sophomore worked the final three innings and picked up the save. While Bartlett was efficient, Immaculata would scratch across a few runs and closed the gap at 8-6 after six innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, senior Sam Rainey connected on a solo home run, giving the Bulldogs their ninth run of the game and a little breathing room. The Raiders threatened to come back in the top of the seventh, but an outstanding backhand stop and throw by senior shortstop Hunter Steffey ended the game and gave the Bulldogs the victory. Seniors Kevin Gann and Rainey and sophomore Brody Troupe all had multiple hits in the victory


McLouth 14, IHS 4

McLouth hit the ball early and often in Game 2, finishing the sweep with a 14-4 victory. The Bulldogs combined to score 13 runs in the first and third innings and took an easy run-rule victory after five innings.

In the bottom of the first, Hermann hit a ground-rule double that Carlton followed with a three-run homer.

McLouth would continue to bat around in the inning, getting base hits from Courtney, Nelson, Gann and Rainey.

Nelson continued to put up impressive numbers on the mound, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out four Raiders in four innings of work. The sophomore now owns a 4-1 record on the year.

Stewart said he thought Nelson could be even better:

“If Dante can limit the number of walks he allows, teams are going to struggle against him,” Stewart said.

McLouth would score six more runs in the third inning, including doubles from both Rainey and Gann. The extra-base hits helped the Bulldogs to a 13- 2 lead.

Bartlett struggled with command in the top of the fifth in a relief effort before senior Carlton took over on the mound to induce a ground ball double play that essentially ended the game. In all, the Bulldogs recorded 14 runs on 13 hits and picked up the season sweep of Immaculata.

MHS improved to 6-2 with the victories. The Bulldogs traveled Monday to Troy for a doubleheader and will be home again this coming Monday against Maur Hill Mount Academy for a 4:30 p.m. home doubleheader against the Junior Ravens. MHS will celebrate senior night during that doubleheader in McLouth.