The Lakeland men's baseball team traveled to Sports Force Park in Sandusky, Ohio to take on the Ivy Tech Titans in the Region 12 sub-District tournament. In a tight game, the Lakers fell to the Titans by a score of 8-4. The Titans struck first as they scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd inning. The runs scored on a softly hit line drive that just went off the centerfielder's glove in a diving effort. The Titans would increase their lead to 3-0 in the top of the 3rd inning as they scored on a fielder's choice. Lakeland struck for 2 runs in the home half of the 3rd inning. Kris Scandy started things off with a single. Later in the inning, Philip Putnam was hit by a pitch and then Malakai Roberts walked to load the bases. Seth Freeman would follow with an RBI on a fielder's choice. Putnam would then score on a wild pitch with Ben Sterritt batting. Lakeland's starter, Adam Letson, came up big in the top of the 4th inning as he struck out the final batter with the bases loaded. The Titans would increase their lead to 4-2 in the top of the 5th inning as they hit consecutive doubles - one down the right-field line and then the next one down the left-field line. The Lakers would tie the score at 4 in the bottom of the 6th inning. With one out, Ben Sterritt ripped a double into the right-field corner. Kyle Zaluski would follow with a walk and they both advanced on another wild pitch. Tyronne Barbosa would follow with a tapper to the left of the mound. Sterritt broke on contact and slid in safely, just under the tag. The Titans then chose to take their ace out of the game. He was clocked throwing 99 mph, but the Lakers were able to force him out. With 2 outs, Kris Scandy hit a tapper toward a charging third baseman. Scandy hustled down the load and beat the throw to first. On the play, the first baseman misplayed the throw allowing Zaluski to score and tie the game.
The score would remain tied until the 9th inning. The key plays of the inning were 7 consecutive bunts by the Titans. After a looping single to left field to start the inning, Ivy executed a nice bunt that split the charging third baseman and pitcher. With two runners on, they bunted again to 3rd. The third baseman fielded it clean and fired it to first base. The ball reached the fielder as the runner was crossing first base. The runner made contact with the glove and the ball skipped into right field allowing 2 runs to score. After that, the Titans successfully laid down a couple more bunts and eventually scored 2 more runs - one on a fielder's choice and the other on a squeeze to seal the win.
Adam Letson pitched an outstanding game allowing 4 runs in 8 innings. Malakai Roberts relieved and took the hard-luck loss. Ben Sterritt led the way offensively collecting 3 hits on the day (double and 2 singles).
The Laker's season ends with a 12-18 (9-10 record).
Krause's Comments: "I am very proud of this team as they really fought hard today and deserved better. They battled back and had a lot of positive energy. In the end, we just weren't able to execute defensively as the Titans played small ball. It was a tough one. I want to thank everyone for their effort this year - they did a nice job dealing with a lot of adversity (weather, field, etc.) I'm proud of them all and wish our sophomores the best of luck as they move forward next year."
Sub-District finish: Edison State would beat Ivy Tech in the next game to advance to the next round of District play. Lakeland had just swept the Chargers this past weekend.
