FORT PIERCE, FL- Cairn opened up their spring break trip to Florida with a matchup against Keynon College at the Gladwin Sports Complex. The Highlanders dropped a close match up by a score of 3-2.
Cairn struggled early on in the game, as they could not figure out the crafty pitching from the Kenyon hurler. Whereas, Kenyon had no problem getting runners on base, but junior pitcher Eric Stinglen was able to keep the Lords at bay.
The Lords took the lead in the top of the 2nd after the Highlanders were able to retire the first two batters with fly balls to the centerfielder, Brian Amantia. Then a single, and a hit by pitch, put runners on first and second as the leadoff man, Mikey Arman, was able to single to left field, which plated the first run of the game.
The only offense the Highlanders could muster in the early going, was a walk that Brett Marks earned. However, Cairn could not capitalize with the runner on base.
Stinglen retired the first two batters in the third inning, but then a single, an error, and a couple of walks and the Lords would end the third with a 2-0 lead.
Senior Matt Trotman would take over on the mound for Cairn in the fourth. He was able to get the first out with a ground ball to short, but then it was Mikey Arman who got a hold of a fastball for a triple in the right center gap. Arman scored on a sac fly to left field, which made the score 3-0.
The Highlanders had their best opportunity in the fourth after Emilio Alvarez was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a passed ball, and then stole third. Brett Marks tried to sneak a ground ball past the first baseman, but the defender gobbled up the ball for the last out.
It wouldn't be until the fifth inning when Cairn would plate a couple of runs. Daniel Morales would single, and advance to second on a wild pitch. Jake Allen drew a walk. Then a timely double steal would plate the first run for the Highlanders. Morales stole third, and the catcher threw the ball into left field, allowing Morales to walk home and Jake Allen would advance to third on the throw. It did not matter where Allen was on the bases, as Brian Amantia would step to plate and crushed a triple to the right field corner. Cairn got two runs back in the inning, and were now down 3-2.
Isaac Morrison would take over in the sixth and threw two scoreless innings keeping Cairn in the game. Offensively in the sixth for Cairn, Alejandro Fernandez would draw a walk and advance to second on a passed ball. Brett Marks earned his second walk of the game, and that would be all for the Lords starting pitcher, Nathan Chandler. With a runner on first and second, Mason McKinley hit a hard ground ball and Kenyon was able to turn the double play and escape the inning not giving up any runs.
Cairn had another shot to tie the game in the eighth. Nate Wilson doubled, and then promptly stole third. With the infield playing up, Wilson was thrown out at the plate on a ground ball to the shortstop. The Highlanders would keep their aggressive ways on the base paths as Emilio Alvarez attempted to steal second to get into scoring position, but was caught stealing to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Fernandez would line out to second to start the inning. Marks would reach on an error, then pinch hitter Dan Bierc, would reach on an error putting two runners on base. Daniel Morales would walk to load the bases with only one out in the inning. Andrew Philips was retired on an infield fly, and it was up to Jake Allen to extend the game. After battling, the Lords closer got the better of Allen, and retired him on a high fast ball to end the game.
Nathan Chandler picked up his first win on the season. Eric Stinglen would take the loss, and Ross Scheinberg earned his first save.
The Highlanders will back in action tomorrow, as they will face Eastern Nazarene in doubleheader starting at noon.
