Albion College announces Giesige dominates, downs Hope
From April 20, 2023 post.
ALBION – A lead after two pitches, a dominant start and timely hitting helped the Albion College baseball team earn a 7-4 win over Hope College. The win snaps a 11-game losing streak against the Flying Dutchmen, dating back to 2019.
Freshman Cole Giesige (3-3) followed up a record breaking performance with another incredible outing. Giesige held Hope scoreless, throwing seven innings, allowing two hits and finishing with 13 punchouts. With now 63 strikeouts on the season, Giesige is second in the MIAA.
On the first pitch of the game, Carson Dunn roped a shot through the left side. One pitch later, Matt McGann drove home Dunn with an RBI double to right center, his first RBI of the day. A bloop single from Austyn Stephens after a walk to Mark Lauro loaded the bases. A wild pitch allowed McGann to cross, giving the Brits a 2-0 lead after one.
In the third, Albion tacked on a third run. Junior Braeden Emery sent a single to center and moved to third on Stephens's second hit of the day. Sophomore shortstop Ryker Mazey lifted a sac fly to left, bringing in Emery for a 3-0 advantage.
Aided by a Hope error, the Britons plated three in the home half of the fourth. Evan Schuster led off the frame with a four pitch and stole second. Patrick Merolla attempted to bunt him over, but the senior beat out the throw. With the throw sailing into right field, Schuster scored and the speed of Merolla allowed him to go all the way to third.
Two hitters later, McGann smoked his second double of the day, this one down the left field line. Merolla scored easily for a 5-0 lead. After a groundout pushed McGann over to third, Emery legged out an infield single, as McGann was brought in for a 6-0 advantage through four innings.
In the seventh, Albion scored its final run on a double from Mazey. Mazey's double brought in Mark Lauro, who singled to lead off the inning.
Turning to the bullpen, Albion allowed four runs – all earned – in the top of the eighth. With a runner on second and nobody out in the top of the ninth, the Brits called upon Luke Robertson.
The sophomore was phenomenal, earning the save. He induced a foulout to McGann, but a wild pitch allowed the Hope runner to advance to third. With one away, Robertson struck out the Hope batter looking, putting Albion an out away from the victory. He struck out the next hitter, and McGann threw down to Lauro at first, giving the Britons their first win over the Flyin Dutch since 2019.
Tomorrow, the series wraps up with a doubleheader at Hope. Game times are set for 1 and 4 p.m.
Original source can be found here.