MELVINDALE BASEBALL HOLDS ON FOR VICTORY OVER EDSEL FORD

After a tough loss at home to Southgate Anderson on Wednesday, Edsel Ford returned to Downriver League action on Thursday with a home game against Melvindale, which was riding a three-game losing skid of its own. The start of the game was delayed about an hour due to an absence of umpires and was shortened by an inning due to darkness.Ultimately, the visiting Cardinals were able to fend off a late-inning rally from the host Thunderbirds and got back into the win column by a final of 7-5 in six innings. It did not appear there would be much scoring early on, as neither team got on the board through the first three innings. Melvindale (6-3, 3-2 DRL) managed to break through first in the top half of the fourth with three runs. Edsel (5-4, 2-3 DRL) eventually got on the board in the home half of the fifth. The Cards appeared to really open things up in the sixth with a four-spot, all coming with two outs. that put them up 7-1. The big blow in that spurt came on a bases-clearing double from Christan Ochoa, who then scored in the next at-bat on a base hit from Philip Smith III. The T-Birds put together a two-out rally that included Dillon Dewyer and Steve Gilbert each getting hit by pitches with the bases loaded, followed by a two-run single from Max Marion to keep the home team alive. But Devin Flum, who had an RBI hit earlier in the game, lined out with runners on first and second to end the ball game and secure things for Melvindale. Christan Ochoa collected two hits and drove in five of Melvindale's seven runs on the day. Harley Haddox also had two hits for the Cards and scored once. Juan Ochoa had a hit and scored twice as did Kelvin Lemoine, who reached via the base on balls twice. For the T-Birds, Dewyer turned in the only multi-hit performance and he reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances. Edsel, however, missed some opportunities by stranding 11 runners on base. Christian Ochoa came one out short of a complete game but departed after plunking Dewyer and Gilbert, giving way to Lemoine. Christian Ochoa was docked with all five runs over 5.2 innings of work. Ryan Stronjy started for Edsel, he too allowed five runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. Seth Maness relieved Stranjy in the sixth and surrendered the Christian Ochoa three-run double and Smith RBI single. A total of 14 walks were issued by pitchers in this game, seven for each team. Both teams were scheduled to be in action on Saturday. Melvindale was set to compete at the Airport Invitational in Carleton and the T-Birds were scheduled for a doubleheader at Livonia Churchill. - In other Dearborn-area baseball this past week, Annapolis welcomed in Romulus on Wednesday and rolled to an 11-1 victory in a Western Wayne Athletic Conference matchup. The Cougars (1-4, 1-0 WWAC) scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game in a 10-run mercy. Ian Bunjo got the start and was dominant on the mound for Annapolis. He struck out 15 batters and gave up only one hit and two walks in six innings of work. The lone Eagles run came late in the game and was unearned. At the plate, the Cougars' Drake Calles finished 3-for-3 with three RBIs, a run scored and two stolen bases. It was Calles' two-run double in the bottom of the sixth that ended the game. Overall, Annapolis hitters drew seven walks and were hit by pitches four times. David Doney had two RBIs and a run scored for the Cougars without the aid of a hit. Shane Zammit drew three walks and finished with two runs scored, a stolen base and one RBI. In addition, Joe Allen was 1-for-2 for Annapolis with an RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases and Nick Berish wrapped up the day 1-for-4 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base.

MELVINDALE BASEBALL HOLDS ON FOR VICTORY OVER EDSEL FORD

ALEX MULLER

News Herald | 4/19/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Alex Muller