Albion rallies to gain Sunday split

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ALBION, Mich. – Michael Fischbach and his Albion College baseball teammates didn't give in Sunday afternoon.

Down 5-2 and three outs away from being swept by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Trine University, Fischbach capped a four-run rally when he sent a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for a two-run double and Shane Lindemann slid in with the winning run when the relay throw by the Trine shortstop sailed to the backstop.

It was Albion's second walk off win against a league rival this season.

"We've had the ability to grind all year and I think that's our identity," Albion Head Coach Scott Carden said. "I think we all believe we're never out of a ballgame. I give our kids a lot of credit because they kept a good attitude the whole game.

"Everybody was doing their job and that's what we've been preaching all year," Carden added. "Sometimes in these situations everything is simplified because you don't try to do too much. That's when we excel – when we do the little things right."

Ronnie Williams III started the seventh-inning uprising with a bunt single, and he was lifted for pinch-runner Andrew Bauer. Jack Wyman singled to send Bauer to third and Bauer scored on a Chase Carpenter single. The Britons loaded the bases when the Trine pitcher made a bad throw after Lindemann's sacrifice bunt. Fischbach fell behind in the count 0-2, but he delivered his third hit of the game. 

"Michael got down 0-2 right away against a pitcher he had never seen before," Carden said. "That's what makes Michael special – he doesn't give in. He knew he was beaten early in the at bat but he won it by putting a good swing on a decent pitch."

The rally gave relief pitcher Patrick O'Brien his first victory at the collegiate level. O'Brien, the third pitcher the Britons used in game two, worked around a leadoff walk in the seventh. Carden said game two pitchers Zach Maresh, Gunnar Owens and O'Brien threw well despite issuing seven walks.

Albion's comeback followed a 13-3 loss in game one. Trine coasted to the win after scoring four times in each of the first two innings. Lindemann collected two hits, including a double, and he drove in all three runs.

Albion and Trine are scheduled to complete the four-game series with a 2 o'clock Monday doubleheader at Jannen Field in Angola, Ind.