(Ann Arbor, Mich. The baseball team returned home after 17 games on the road to the start the season. Not only was it the Cardinals home opener but it also served as the WHAC opener. The Cardinals hosted Cleary in a Saturday afternoon looking to extend their win streak to 10 games. The Cardinals used timely hitting and effective pitching to sweep the Cougars in dramatic fashion. A bottom of the ninth walk-off grand slam gave the Cardinals a 9-6 victory in game one followed by a 6-3 win.
Game 1 CUAA 9, Cleary 6
The Cougars jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after two innings. Grant Steinborn got one run back for the Cardinals with a solo homer in the bottom of the second. The Cardinals would go on to take the lead 5-3 in the bottom of the third due to errors by the Cougars. The Cougars responded scoring runs in the fourth and fifth inning to tie the game. They eventually took the lead 6-5 in the top of the eighth inning.
The Cardinals heroics commenced in the ninth innings when Calvin Syrjala stepped to the place. Back to back singles by Victor Diaz and Chris Lowe in the ninth inning started the rally for the Cardinals. Dylan Steinke advanced Diaz and Lowe on a ground out. With first base open, the Cougars chose to walk Steinborn. With only one out, Syrjala stayed aggressive and made contact launching the pitch to left field. The walk-off grand slam game the Cardinals their first WHAC win of the season, 9-6.
Brandon Decker earned the win for the Cardinals in relief. Decker went two innings, struck out two Cougars and only allowed one hit while not giving up a run.
Game 2 CUAA 6, Cleary 3
Game two started similarly as the first game with a quick 3-0 Cougar lead after two innings. Once again Grant Steinborn scored the Cardinals first run launching a 3-run home run that scored Preston Sherman and Chris Lowe.
The Cardinals used two more home runs to extend the lead. Vann Acker recorded a single home run in the fourth inning to break the tie. In the eight inning Jimmy Wressel launched a 2-run home run scoring Dylan Steinke.
Tyson Kleinfelter earned the complete game win for the Cardinals. Kleinfelter moved to 3-0 on the year with nine strikeouts while only allowing on earned run.
The Cardinals have a quick turnaround as they host Rochester in a non-conference double header tomorrow. First pitch for game one is set for 1pm.