Michigan-Dearborn Splits Doubleheader with Siena Heights

 ADRAN, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team opened WHAC play Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader split against Siena Heights at McLaughlin Stadium. The Saints claimed the opener 8-0 before the Wolverines responded with a 3-1 win in the nightcap.

Game One: Siena Heights 8, Michigan-Dearborn 0

Siena Heights jumped out early in the opener and never looked back, scoring three runs in the first inning to take control.

An RBI single from Mason Mitchell got the Saints on the board before Siena Heights added two more runs on a fielding error and a sacrifice fly to build a quick 3-0 advantage. The Saints added another run in the third inning when Wyatt Burris delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

Siena Heights broke the game open in the sixth inning with four additional runs. The Saints capitalized on several opportunities, using a sacrifice fly, an RBI walk, a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, and a run-scoring fielder's choice to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Michigan-Dearborn was limited offensively, recording just one hit in the contest. Max Granatstein accounted for the Wolverines' lone hit and added two stolen bases.

Noah Piesko started on the mound for Michigan-Dearborn and allowed three runs over two innings. Johnny Hesterman pitched four innings in relief and recorded three strikeouts.

Game Two: Michigan-Dearborn 3, Siena Heights 1

The Wolverines responded in the second game of the doubleheader, using timely hitting and strong pitching to earn a 3-1 victory.

Michigan-Dearborn struck first in the opening inning. Darren Pagel reached and eventually scored when Beck Kjeldbjerg singled and advanced to second on a Siena Heights error, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines added another run in the second inning when Alex Schmitt doubled to drive in Connor Swiney, extending the lead to 2-0.

Siena Heights answered in the bottom of the second as Zander Zeiter doubled to score Mason Mitchell and cut the deficit to 2-1. However, the Saints would not score again.

Michigan-Dearborn's pitching staff kept Siena Heights in check the rest of the way. Brady Dion delivered a strong start, allowing just one run on six hits across six innings while striking out two without issuing a walk.

Matt Cheetam worked a scoreless seventh inning in relief before Cael Bedard closed out the final two innings, allowing no hits and striking out two to secure the win.

The Wolverines added an insurance run in the ninth inning when Max Granatstein singled to score Schmitt, pushing the lead to 3-1.

Michigan-Dearborn finished the game with eight hits, including doubles from Schmitt and Nathan Deleruyelle. Schmitt led the offense with two hits and an RBI, while Kjeldbjerg also recorded two hits and drove in a run.

The Wolverines also applied pressure on the basepaths, stealing six bases in the contest.