Aukeman Starts Both Ends Of Doubleheader
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - It's not the way most people think baseball should be played. With the snow coming down Tuesday afternoon, the Grace College Lancers squared off against the Goshen Maple Leafs at Miller Field for a Mid-Central Conference matchup.
Terry Aukeman, the Lancers left-handed ace pitcher, seemed to enjoy the precipitation, however. He struck out five batters on his way to a shortened five-inning complete game victory, 2-0.
Feeling confident about Aukeman's pitching performance, head coach Glen Johnson started him in the second game also. But as the snow began to stop falling, Aukeman began to tire. He allowed four runs in the second inning, as Goshen grabbed a split of the doubleheader 7-4.
In game one, both teams struggled to find the offense until the fourth inning. Aukeman walked Joe Salazar to open up the inning, then walked Nate Lichti one batter later. After striking out Sam Reschly, Aukeman walked his third batter of the inning to load the bases. But, he struck out Ray Malott to end the threat.
In the bottom of the fourth, Eric Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Matt Grimm was also hit by a pitch, and Brian Walta doubled to bring home both runs.
That was all Grace would need as Aukeman retired three straight batters in the top of the fifth to get the win.
Game two was a different story. Aukeman retired three straight batters after a lead-off single in the first, but in the second inning, things fell apart.
Joe Czarnecki and Lichti singled to start the inning, and Tony Riddle planted a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall to put Goshen up 3-0. Matt Beachy then followed with a base hit and moved to third on a throwing error by Lincoln Howard. Eric Springer sacrificed him home for another run.
Mike Raasch relieved Aukeman in the fourth and allowed three runs as Grace fell behind 7-0. But, the Lancers rallied in the bottom of the fourth.
Chad Newhard, Andy Manes and Walta walked to load the bases. Chris Bates drove in two runs with a single and Mark Abel followed with a single that plated another run. Steve Babinsky grounded out to bring in another run to close the score to 7-4.
After Raasch retired three straight batters, the Lancers had one last chance. Gonzalez walked to lead off the inning, but was thrown out trying to steal second, and Newhard followed by striking out. Matt Grimm grounded out to end the game.
Goshen scored its seven runs on just nine hits in the second game, but two errors helped the Maple Leaf cause.
Walta was the big hitter for Grace, going 2-for-2 on the day with two walks and a pair of doubles. His two RBI continued his tear, as he leads the MCC with 25 on the year.
Aukeman pitched a total of eight innings, allowing four runs, just three of which were earned. He struck out seven batters and allowed eight hits. He took both decisions, going 1-1 on the day.
Grace (6-19) will host Marian on Thursday at 1 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - It's not the way most people think baseball should be played. With the snow coming down Tuesday afternoon, the Grace College Lancers squared off against the Goshen Maple Leafs at Miller Field for a Mid-Central Conference matchup.
Terry Aukeman, the Lancers left-handed ace pitcher, seemed to enjoy the precipitation, however. He struck out five batters on his way to a shortened five-inning complete game victory, 2-0.
Feeling confident about Aukeman's pitching performance, head coach Glen Johnson started him in the second game also. But as the snow began to stop falling, Aukeman began to tire. He allowed four runs in the second inning, as Goshen grabbed a split of the doubleheader 7-4.
In game one, both teams struggled to find the offense until the fourth inning. Aukeman walked Joe Salazar to open up the inning, then walked Nate Lichti one batter later. After striking out Sam Reschly, Aukeman walked his third batter of the inning to load the bases. But, he struck out Ray Malott to end the threat.
In the bottom of the fourth, Eric Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Matt Grimm was also hit by a pitch, and Brian Walta doubled to bring home both runs.
That was all Grace would need as Aukeman retired three straight batters in the top of the fifth to get the win.
Game two was a different story. Aukeman retired three straight batters after a lead-off single in the first, but in the second inning, things fell apart.
Joe Czarnecki and Lichti singled to start the inning, and Tony Riddle planted a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall to put Goshen up 3-0. Matt Beachy then followed with a base hit and moved to third on a throwing error by Lincoln Howard. Eric Springer sacrificed him home for another run.
Mike Raasch relieved Aukeman in the fourth and allowed three runs as Grace fell behind 7-0. But, the Lancers rallied in the bottom of the fourth.
Chad Newhard, Andy Manes and Walta walked to load the bases. Chris Bates drove in two runs with a single and Mark Abel followed with a single that plated another run. Steve Babinsky grounded out to bring in another run to close the score to 7-4.
After Raasch retired three straight batters, the Lancers had one last chance. Gonzalez walked to lead off the inning, but was thrown out trying to steal second, and Newhard followed by striking out. Matt Grimm grounded out to end the game.
Goshen scored its seven runs on just nine hits in the second game, but two errors helped the Maple Leaf cause.
Walta was the big hitter for Grace, going 2-for-2 on the day with two walks and a pair of doubles. His two RBI continued his tear, as he leads the MCC with 25 on the year.
Aukeman pitched a total of eight innings, allowing four runs, just three of which were earned. He struck out seven batters and allowed eight hits. He took both decisions, going 1-1 on the day.
Grace (6-19) will host Marian on Thursday at 1 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]