RECORDS: Apprentice School (26-16) | Cleary University (19-28-1)
LOCATION: East Field Park in Glens Falls, NY
IN BRIEF: A six run second inning was all the Apprentice School Builders needed to earn their spot in the second round of the USCAA Small College World Series.
HOW THEY SCORED: In the bottom of the first inning Thomas Richardson reached first base on an error by the shortstop. Jacob Countiss stepped up to plate and knocked a double into the gap to bring around Richardson for the opening run of the game. In the second inning the Builders from the Apprentice School added six runs. Steve Hux started the inning with a double and was advanced to third on a Mike Brumfield single. Brumfield stole second to move into scoring positon. Darius Harris singled and moved to second base on an error while Brumfield and Hux came across to score. With one away, Richardson singled and advanced Harris to third. Countiss found the gap and for a double to score Harris and advance Richardson to third. Both players were brought around to score in a Robbie Watkins single. Second team All-American, Cody Hendrickson doubled to bring Watkins home and make the score 7-0 through the second.
The Cleary Cougars got two runs back on the Builders in the top of the third on two hits and an error. To start the inning, Briton Ott singled then advanced to second on an error by the pitcher. William Lovell was hit by a pitch and took his base to put two men on for the Cougars. Second Team All-American, Nick Hoogerhyd, brought Ott home from third with his double and Lovell scored on John Grable's ground out for the second out of the inning. Cleary cut the lead to 7-3 in the top of the 4th with a John Malbone solo homerun to left field.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Apprentice School's Countiss singled to get on base and was advanced to third on a Watkins single. Brent Byrum entered the game as a pinch runner for Watkins. Nick Morrisset knocked one out of the park to bring everyone home for three RBIs. The Apprentice pitcher Brumfield doubled to score Hux who also doubled and brought the lead to 12-3, which is how the game would finish.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE: Brumfield went the distance for the Builders allowing three earned runs on five hits. He struck out six batters in the process. Morrisset had a game high three RBIs with Countiss, Watkins, Hendricks, and Harris each adding two RBIs. Apprentice had 17 hits with eight players having a multi-hit game.
The Cleary starter, Badih Jawad, went four innings, surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and struck-out two. John Malbone was 1-3 at the plate with his solo shot in the top of the fourth. Nick Hoogerhyde and Mickey Montpas each had a double for the Cougars.
NEXT UP: The Apprentice School continues in the winner's bracket to play the University of Cincinnati Clermont tomorrow at 11:00 AM at East Field Park. Cleary moves to the elimination bracket to face Central Penn College at 8:30 AM, in a must win for both teams.
