Caledonia High School Athletics

It was definitely a win the Fighting Scots needed as they defeated the Hamilton Hawkeyes 8-3 yesterday in Hamilton. The Scots got things started early in the top of the first when Junior Tommy Clarey scored off of a wild pitch. With a double by Mitchell Smith the Fighting Scots had runners at second and third with no outs. Derek Pennington was able to score both Mitchell Smith and Nick Slater to extend the lead to 3-0. Three straight strikeouts ended things for Caledonia. Senior Micheal Douglass got the start for the Scots as he allowed back to back walks but retired Hamilton’s four and five hitters to keep the Hawkeyes scoreless in the first. Hamilton was able to get their first run of the game in the bottom of the second. After a single and a dropped third strike, the Hawkeyes had runners at the corners and no outs. Hamilton’s number seven hitter pushed across the first run with a groundout to second baseman Corbin Raffler. Both teams went 1-2-3 in the third inning as the score remained 3-1. After back to back singles by the middle of the Hawkeye order, the number seven batter for Hamilton was able to tie the game at three with a single to left. Hamilton almost took a 4-3 lead but Douglass was able to save a run with a nice decision on a sac bunt. Caledonia took a 5-3 lead in the top of the fourth on back to back doubles by Mitchell Smith and Derek Pennington and a single by Zack Maurer. Both teams were shut down in the sixth and it wasn’t until the seventh inning when Caledonia was able to score runs 6, 7 and 8. The inning got started on a walk by Tommy Clarey and a single by Nick Slater. Both runners were able to advance to scoring position from a groundout by Smith. A walk by Pennington loaded the bases for the Scots with only one out. A Zach Maurer lineout to center was able to give the Scots their sixth run. Walks by both Alex Skibinski and Corbin Raffler gave Caledonia runs 7 and 8. Junior Carter Born came in for relief in the sixth as he allowed three singles and struck out three. Senior Micheal Douglass got the start for Caledonia, the lefty lasted four innings, allowing two runs, three walks and striking out one. Junior Nick Slater led the way for the Scots at the plate as he went 3-4 with a stolen base. Mitchell Smith and Derek Pennington also both went 2-4. The boys will be back in action this afternoon as they host Rockford.