Baseball: Warriors slay sloppy Chargers

The Midland Dow varsity baseball team struggled all day Thursday and dropped both games of a double header at Bay City Western 11-2 and 9-1.

“Today we were at our low point for the season in terms of effort and fundamental baseball,” said Dow coach Kip Harris. “It’s routine plays. It’s fundamentals that we address every practice, and it’s experienced players that just aren’t getting it done.”

Senior right-hander Sean Hartman (4-2) took the mound for the Chargers in the opener and was roughed up for five runs on six hits in four innings to take the loss.

Offensively, Dow was led by Adam Mantle who finished 2-for-3 and Nate Richard who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

The Chargers didn’t fare better in the nightcap either.

Torri Nelson (1-5) started for Dow and pitched well, but defensive errors betrayed him as the Chargers dug themselves a deep hole.

“When you make six errors and don’t turn two double plays, you force a kid to throw six or seven outs in an inning,” Harris said.

Richard and Michael Allen both went 2-for-3 to lead Dow.

“We haven’t come out to compete against a team in a long time,” Harris said. “We have no fight in us right now, and in 15 days our season could be over. If that’s not enough of an incentive to pick up your intensity and level of play, then you don’t belong in athletic competition.”

Dow’s record falls to 16-11-1 overall and 10-8 in league play. They return to action Tuesday when they host cross-town rival Midland at Dow Diamond. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the gates open to the public at 4:30 p.m.