Pinconning Rallies Past John Glenn 6-5 In Game One

April 19, 2009
By: John Keuvelaar

Frigid temperatures and blustery winds greeted Pinconning and John Glenn as the two teams opened their NEMC league play. But hot action and competitive play kept everyone's mind on the game and off the cold. In the end, it was Pinconning's ability to answer John Glenn's rallies that earned a Spartan victory.

John Glenn scored first as Brandon Gottschiling led off the game with a double. Jordan Schumann singled him home to take a 1-0 lead. That lead was short lived as Andy Shoemaker started the Pinconning end of the first with a single of his own. Then catcher Cory Swinson put the Spartans on top with a two run home run and a 2-1 lead.

John Glenn tied the game in the third. Gottschiling rapped his second lead off double on the game and Cory Martin drove him home. Pinconning struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Charles Hine reached base on an error then Cody Firman singled him home giving the Spartans a 3-2 lead.

In the fifth inning, the Bobcats pounced on three Spartan errors pushing across three runs to build a 5-3 lead. But the Spartans immediately responded with three runs of their own. After loading the bases on a single and two walks, Steve Moore singled to left driving in the tying runs. Then Hine stroked a sacrifice fly to center bringing home Lucas Foco for what turned out to be the winning run.

Foco picked up the victory with four innings of relief pitching striking out three. Nate Harrington went the distance for John Glenn striking out three.