By Jacob Russell

HILLSDALE, Mich. - The Monarchs’ two consecutive fielding errors in the top of the tenth made sure Cade Spikes’ (North Greenville) quality first start didn’t go to waste.

Spikes, the Warsaw Federal Player of the Game, entered Sunday’s contest without a single relief appearance lasting more than three innings. He joined the Steam bullpen after not appearing in any games in his first spring with the Crusaders. In his first start, Spikes allowed nine hits and two earned runs, struck out four and walked two in seven innings. 

Michigan starting pitcher Drew Szczepaniak (Western Michigan) gave up a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jake Silverstein (Dayton) that brought in center fielder Gephry Pena (Central Florida), who hit a leadoff double, while recording the second out of the game. 

Catcher Will Bastian’s (The Citadel) RBI single in the second inning tied the game for the Monarchs but didn’t rattle Spikes. 

Sam Benschoter (Michigan State) relieved Szczepaniak in the seventh with runners on first and second base and one out. Pena drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Cincinnati right fielder Grant Richardson (Indiana) plated shortstop Eddie Rivero (Xavier) and catcher Cameron Rountree (Wright State) with a single.

Both of Richardson’s RBIs went on Szczepaniak’s record, but neither of this game’s starters got a decision. Szczepaniak’s final line was six and one-third innings in which he allowed three hits and three earned runs, struck out three and walked out four.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Michigan second baseman Peter Ahn's (Michigan State) single put the last blemish on Spikes’ line and made the score 3-2.

Steam first baseman Griffin Merritt (Cincinnati) reached base on a single, advanced 180 feet on wild pitches and stole home to score his team’s lone run in the eighth off Grant Jebbia (Louisiana Lafayette).  

Jack Dungan (Eastern Michigan), the first reliever out of Cincinnati’s bullpen, pitched a clean eighth, gave up the lead in the ninth and still got the win to improve his record to 1-0. Monarchs pinch runner Jordon Rogers (Michigan) made it home on a Dungan wild pitch and Ahn’s second single tied the game. 

Cincinnati went home victorious on June 19 after a twelve-inning thriller in Muskegon, their first extra-inning game of the season. 

Gavin Doyle (Western Michigan) had no issues getting the first two outs in the top of the tenth, but his fielders behind him didn’t help him prevent first loss (and decision) of the season. Steam designated hitter Nate Stolze (Miami U) reached first base on an error by the third baseman. An error by the right fielder on a ball hit by Rountree, the next batter, allowed Stolze to score the go-ahead run. 

Jonathan Brus, the lefty reliever out of Dayton who now leads Cincinnati with nine appearances, earned his first save by getting Michigan out in order in the tenth before they could touch his team’s 5-4 lead.  

The Steam travel to the Richmond Jazz for a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader on Tuesday. Game three of that series is Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Max McLeary Field.

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