By Jacob Russell

MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Steam’s early 4-2 lead became the difference when both Cincinnati and the Muskegon Clippers scored three runs in the eighth inning.

Clippers starter Bryce Davis (Toledo) allowed the Steam’s first run when center fielder Gephry Pena (UCF) came home on the Warsaw Federal Player of the Game Grant Richardson’s (Indiana) putout in the top of the first.

Muskegon backed up their starter by scoring a single run in both the second and third innings. First baseman Rob Zurawski (Hillsdale College) evened up the score in the bottom of the second with a single that brought in shortstop Austin Eifrid (Ashland U). Joshua Holt (Missouri) gave the Clippers the lead in third when he scored on an error by the pitcher.

Cincinnati can thank their three-run fourth for their early lead. Shortstop Tyler Wardwell (Duke) knocked in Richardson with a single to center, and right fielder Alex Neff (Wright State) scored on an error by the center fielder. Davis walked in a run, third baseman Braydon Runion (Walters State CC), against the last batter he faced, Eddie Rivero (Xavier).

In his losing start of three and two-thirds innings, Davis allowed two hits, four runs (three earned), struck out two and walked six. Only one of the two runs allowed by the Steam’s starter, lefty Kyle LaCalameto (Dayton) was earned. He pitched five innings, allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two in his winning start.

The scoring picked up again in the eighth inning. Both Richardson and Runion hit solo homers for Cincinnati. First baseman Griffin Merritt (Cincinnati) got catcher Ben McCabe (UCF) home safely with a double. Muskegon reliever Jacob Gilhaus (Kalamazoo College) had kept the Steam scoreless for three innings before falling apart in the eighth.

Justin Ward (Thomas More) was on the hook for all three of the Clippers’ runs in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch runner Ty Olejnik (Missouri) scored the first run against Ward on a wild pitch. Zurawski’s second RBI single of the day plated left fielder Shane Easter (Eastern Michigan). Eifrid came home for the third run thanks to pinch hitter Brian Martin’s (Michigan State) sacrifice fly to center.

Despite all those runs, Cincinnati had a 7-5 lead entering the ninth. Designated hitter Jake Silverstein (Dayton) hit his team’s third solo home run of the game for some additional insurance. Cade Spikes (North Greenville U) wouldn’t need the additional insurance in his clean save.

The final game of this two-game series is tonight at 7:05 p.m. The Steam return to their home city on June 20 to face the St. Clair Green Giants at the Reds Urban Youth Academy in Roselawn. June 21’s game against St. Clair is at Max McLeary Field.

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