MAC Cardinals back in the black

By DONN ADAMSON/Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area College Cardinals are back in the black. Not just that it was the color of jersey they wore in playing a doubleheader against the Meramec College Magic on Saturday, but after winning both games, 6-5 and 3-0, the Cardinals have a winning record again. Something they have not seen since going on their Gulf Coast trip on March 13. The Cardinals have gone 12-3 over the past four weeks.

Pitching was key to Mineral Area's two wins. "Our pitchers did an outstanding job for us today," said MAC coach Jim Gerwitz. "(Drew) Horrell throwing a complete game without giving up a walk for us was really outstanding."

Horell pitched a three-hitter in the second game and faced only 24 batters over the seven innings, striking out four of them.

Michael Hardin started the first game and allowed only three runs on 11 hits that he spread out over his six innings on the mound. The Cardinals escaped a bullet in the top of the seventh inning as the Magic scored two runs and had the bases full with two outs, but relief pitcher Kyle Tesreau struck out the last batter to get the save.

The close game had Coach Gerwitz responding, "Wow! It'll make you old in a hurry!"

The first game started out as a pitching duel between Hardin and Meramec's Andrew Lardner for three and a half inning with the score 1-1. Mineral Area chased Lardner in the bottom of the third inning with a lead-off single by Tyler Stahl and a walk by Scott Hubbard. Both runners would score and be credited to Lardner.

Ryan Becker hit a single off of relief pitcher Zach Graefser that loaded the bases. Michael Hall hit a single into leftfield which was misplayed by the leftfielder and went all the way to the fence allowing all three runners to score. A ground ball by Ryan Dickerman scored Becker for the fourth run of the inning.

Even though the Cardinals scored most of their runs in the fourth inning, it was a lone run in the sixth inning which would make the difference. The Magic scored two runs in the top of the fifth to draw to within two runs at 5-3.

Aaron Miller, MAC's catcher in the first game, hit a one-out single and then stole second to get into scoring position. A single by Hall made the stolen base count as Miller scampered all the way home with what would turn out to be the winning run.

A pitching duel occurred in game two as well. Meramec's Joe Russo locked horns with Horrell for five innings with the only run being scored by Mineral Area in the third inning on a double by Hoffman followed by a RBI single by Sean Bard.

The Cardinals finished the top of the sixth inning with a double play. Horell struck out the batter, and an alert Lucas Hulsey threw down to third to catch the Meramec trying to steal the base.

"Our defense did a great job for us. Basically it won the game for us," said Gerwitz

Hulsey came through with his bat in the bottom of the inning. After Hubbard hit a single, Hulsey drove him in with a smash to the warning track in left-centerfield for a double. Hulsey would also score as Ryan Becker also hit one deep for a double.

"We made crucial runs in the sixth inning of both games today," said Gerwitz. "When you make a good defensive play, it usually leads to a good offensive play as well. Lucas (Hulsey) proved that to be true. "

Mineral Area will play next at Jefferson College on Tuesday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

GAME ONE

Meramec 001 020 2 - 5 13 2

Mineral Area 001 401 x - 6 6 1

Meramec -

Hitting: Gregali 3, Getz 2, Wallace 2, Henley, Jenne, Howard, Van Stratten, Bush. Epley. 2b- Henley, Getz.

Pitching: LP- Lardner 4i 3r 1h 1k 4bb, Graefser 3i 3r 5h 2k 0bb.

Mineral Area -

Hitting: Hall 2, Hoffman, Stahl, Becker, Miller.

Pitching: WP- Hardin 6i 3r 11h 5k 1bb 1hp, SV- Tesreau 1i 2r 2h 2k 2bb 1hp.

GAME TWO

Meramec 000 000 0 - 0 3 0

Mineral Area 001 002 x - 3 8 0

Meramec -

Hitting: Getz, Bush, Kelehan.

Pitching: LP- Russo 5 1/3i 3r 7h 1k 1bb 1hp, Mouser 2/3i 0r 1h 2k 2bb.

Mineral Area -

Hitting: Becker 3, Bard 2, Hoffman, Hubbard, Hulsey. 2b- Becker, Hulsey, Hoffman.