Baseball: JV Chargers drop pair to Oilers

by Brent Koaches

The Dow High JV baseball team dropped a pair of games to the Mount Pleasant Oilers Thursday night, falling 1-0 in the first game before losing 12-4 in game two.

In a pitcher’s duel in game one, the Chargers’ bats could never get going, failing to push a run across despite making consistent contact all evening. The Oilers would eventually score the only run of the game in the fifth to give Mount Pleasant the victory. Offensively, sophomores Adam Mantle and Dan Livernois would each finish 1-for-2.

Despite the loss in the opening game, Dow High coach Ben Cronkright was happy with his team’s performance.

“Game one was probably the best game we’ve played all season,” Cronkright said. “We faced the toughest pitcher that we will see, and we hit well against him.”

Game two was a different story, however. Although the Chargers scored four runs, the Oilers pushed 12 across in the win. Mantle again led the Chargers on the offensive end, going 1-for-3 and scoring a run.

Freshman Eli Rytlewski pitched the first two innings of the game and allowed three runs before sophomore Shaun Lukins took over for the third and fourth. Lukins would surrender six runs of his own and give way to Mantle who allowed the final three.

Overall, Cronkright said he was happy with his team’s performance, but pointed out areas where the Chargers need improvement.

“We need to play a full seven innings,” he said. “If we play all seven innings for both games of a doubleheader, then we will win ball games.”

The Chargers will return to action Saturday in the Al Quick JV Invitational. Game time is scheduled for noon.