FORT PIERCE, FL- Cairn was back on the diamond for a doubleheader with Eastern Nazarene College Sunday afternoon. The Highlanders won game one in a thrilling extra-inning contest, by a score of 5-4. The Lions would get the better of the Highlanders in game two, to even the series at a game a piece. Cairn would drop the contest by a score of 4-3.
GAME 1
Eastern Nazarene took little time to jump out in front in the first inning. The Lions would use 3 straight singles to plate their first run of the game, before starting pitcher, Emilio Alvarez would settle in and retire the next three batters he would face. Cairn would respond to tie the game in their half of the second inning, when Brett Marks reached on an error, and Alejandro Fernandez would a crush a double to the left center field gap to plate Marks.
Cairn would take the lead in the third inning. Jake Allen drew a leadoff walk, Nate Wilson would get hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Emilio Alvarez would step to the plate, and launched a three-run dinger over the left field fence. Eastern Nazarene would strike again in the fourth after a leadoff double, hit by a pitch, and single to load the bases. Alvarez's plunked the next batter forcing home the Lions second run. That was the last batter Alvarez would face; Carson Conradt would take over on the mound. Conradt threw one pitch and got the double play ball needed to end the threat.
Eastern Nazarene would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth before Daniel Morales would come in and stop the bleeding. This game could not be settled in regulation, as the fans were treated to free baseball in Fort Pierce. Fernandez led off the inning with a single through the left side. Morales would advance him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Dan Bierc reached with a single of his own. Andrew Philips then beat out the throw to first, avoiding the inning-ending double play to give the Highlanders a 5-4 lead.
With one out in bottom of the eighth, Lions leadoff hitter, Connor Simpson, hit a double to deep center field. Morales struck out the next batter leaving Eastern Nazarene down to their last hope. Steven Pesce hit what appeared to be an inning extending single to left fielder Emilio Alvarez, however, Alvarez threw a bullet to the plate to nail Simpson at home and secure the win for the Highlanders.
GAME 2
The Lions wasted no time jumping all over the Highlanders and Eastern Nazarene took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Highlanders continued to get baserunners in the early going of game two, but they ran themselves out of innings with their aggressive base running. Eastern Nazarene would strike in the fourth inning, when the Lions were able to capitalize on free bases and some timely hitting. Eastern Nazarene tacked on two more runs to increase their lead to 3-0, and end the day for Cairn hurler Albert Taylor.
The Highlanders were able to push two runs across in the their half of the fourth inning. Jake Allen drew another walk and advanced to second on a balk. Allen then advanced to third on an infield single by Brian Amantia. Nate Wilson hit into a fielders choice which scored Allen from third. After Wilson would advance to second on a wild pitch, Emilio Alvarez would continue his hot hitting, with another RBI double to score Wilson.
The Lions would add an insurance run in the sixth Devin Haberstumf hammered a double to right center field to score teammate Zach Carmody. In the bottom of the seventh, Cairn would be down to their final out of the day before they attempted another come from behind victory. Daniel Morales would single to right field. Trey Valiton who came on as a defensive replacement, earned a full count walk to put runners on first and second. The duo then executed a perfect double steal to advance into scoring position. Andrew Philips then walked to load the bases for Jake Allen for the second time in as many days. The Lions went to their bullpen to bring in their closer, Devin Haberstumf, who already had three saves on the young season. The very first pitch he threw sailed to the backstop and Morales would scamper home to bring the Highlanders within one. However, it would not be enough as Allen was called out on strikes to slam the door on the Highlanders chances.
Cairn will have an off day tomorrow before they are back on the diamond Tuesday night to face off against Messiah College. First pitch of the nine inning game is slated for 7:30 pm.
