Pellston 2-7, J-L 1-3
Gaylord Herald Times

PELLSTON — The Johannesburg-Lewiston baseball team has dropped enough one-run games this season to last a lifetime.

It happened again to the Cardinals Thursday, as a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth gave Pellston a 2-1 victory.

The Hornets then again came from behind to take the second game 7-3.

“It’s the story of our season,” said J-L coach Rick Guild. “We can’t get over that hump. But we played very well and that first game was one of the most well-played high school games I’ve seen in awhile. Both teams were making great defensive plays.”

Senior Brad VanCoillie continued his dominance on the mound, pitching four near-flawless innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk, before departing before the fifth because of minor arm soreness and an ankle he hurt on a sliding play.

Senior Tyler Smith, who had made three dazzling plays at shortstop earlier, entered the game in relief and pitched well despite the Pellston rally in the sixth.

J-L’s only run came early in the game when senior Mitch Reed laid down a perfect suicide squeeze that scored freshman John Cook.

Guild credited Reed and senior Stan Kwapis with making excellent defensive plays in that game.

Reed and Smith combined to pitch in the second game, with the Cardinals giving up an early 2-1 lead.

Junior Ty Knapp and Kwapis each had three hits in the doubleheader, with Kwapis collecting a pair of RBI's.

Smith added an RBI double in the second game.

J-L (10-12, 6-10 Ski Valley Conference) travels to Posen in a nonconference battle Monday.