ADRIAN, Mich. – Mitch Shedlowsky was able to wiggle out of a bases loaded jam in seventh inning, but Kellan Huang was unable to do likewise in the eighth.
Nick Lepore's two-run single drove in the decisive runs as Hope College rallied for a 7-5 victory over Albion College in an opening round game in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association baseball tournament.
The loss sends Albion (22-19 overall) to an elimination game against Alma College, a 7-5 loser to Adrian College on Wednesday. Weather permitting, the Albion-Alma game is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Shedlowsky, an all-MIAA first team pick, gave Albion a quality start on the mound. He was in position to get credit for the victory as he departed after the seventh with a 5-3 lead. Shedlowsky threw 128 pitches, allowing 10 hits and three walks. He got eight strikeouts, one shy of matching his season high.
Jordyn Finney scored on Sean Haddlesey's groundout and Joe Turnbull scored on a wild pitch as Albion led, 5-1, in the fourth.
Albion had Hope starter Sean Hoey on the ropes – the Flying Dutchmen had a reliever warming in the bullpen as early as the third inning – but never delivered the knockout punch. Hoey eventually lasted 6.1 innings before giving way to Shane Hykin (4-1). Hoey was charged with five runs (two earned) on five hits and eight walks. Hykin limited the Britons to one hit (Matt But's single to leadoff the eighth).
Albion's 5-2 lead was in jeopardy in the seventh when Hope got consecutive singles from Jordon Fairchild, Trace Slancik and Evan Maday to load the bases with no outs. Fairchild scored when Mason Opple was hit by a pitch, but Shedlowsky was able to get the next three batters out to retire the side.
Huang loaded the bases with two out in the eighth when he hit Maday with a pitch. Opple came through with a single that forged a 5-5 tie as Jack Sojka and Fairchild scored. After a walk, Lepore hit his single to complete the scoring in the game.
Andrew Arszulowicz was Albion's leading hitter in the game, collecting two singles and two RBI.