The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Bouncing Back
Milan back on track, wins fifth straight vs. Red Devils
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008
The Milan baseball team is about to head into its biggest week of the season. Fortunately for the Big Reds, they look to be headed into it playing some of their best baseball of the season.
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Milan responded to their recent sudden three-game skid by ripping off victories in their last five straight, including a 3-2 win on the road at Riverview April 30, two victories (and a tournament championship) at the Whiteford Invitational last Saturday, and a 14-2 bludgeoning of Grosse Ile Monday.
The wins improved Milan to 12-6 overall on the season and kept the Big Reds just behind league-leading Airport with a 7-1 Huron League record.
"With the big games we've got coming up, we need the momentum," said Milan head coach Adam Gilles. "I think the kids were kind of bummed out after the Jefferson loss, but I think they've realized they can't win every game and they've bounced back well."
The Big Reds wasted no time taking control against the Red Devils, with leadoff hitter Zach McGovern blasting his first home run of the season deep to centerfield for an immediate 1-0 lead. The Big Reds would tack on four more runs in the inning to go up 5-0, then blow the game open with nine more in the top of the fifth.
With Milan up 12, the game was called on the 10-run mercy rule after five innings.
Aaron Straub matched McGovern with his first home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth. Kyle Crump and Matt Drewyor each finished with two hits and four RBIs, while Jake Hall, Michael Craig and Paul Irwin each added two hits of their own.
Rocky Garcia picked up his first varsity win, going the distance with eight strikeouts, five scattered hits and two unearned runs.
"We did what we were supposed to do," Gilles said. "We threw strikes, played good defense, put the ball in play and made them pick it up. When they didn't, we took advantage."
The Big Reds began their day at Whiteford with a 4-0 shutout of the host Bobcats, currently ranked 10th in Division 4.
Josh Bellers provided all the offense Milan would need with a RBI single in the first to drive in McGovern. Crump added two more on an inside-the-park home run in the sixth with Garcia's single to drive in Hall a few batters later extending the lead to four.
Crump would pitch five scoreless innings for the win, striking out seven and allowing just a single hit. Matt Drewyor pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the win.
Milan then prevailed against Bedford 8-7 in eight innings to claim the tourney title.
The Big Reds took a 4-0 lead only for the Kicking Mules to tie the game at 4 after three. Bedford would eventually take a 5-4 lead, only for Bellers' one-out pinch-hit double in the fifth to tie the game and send it into extra frames.
After falling behind again, Milan would rally for three runs scored by McGovern, Lance Smith, and Crump to claim the victory.
Crump finished the game 4-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Craig and Demetries Love each added a pair of hits, while Straub picked up the win in relief of McGovern.
"Against Whiteford, we played some pretty good defense and just kind of shut them down," Gilles said. "The Bedford game was a good game, but we got some big hits and came away with the win."
The victories have Gilles feeling confident ahead of a four-game stretch that could decide the Huron League title. The Big Reds traveled to St. Mary Catholic Central Wednesday before visiting Jefferson Friday and hosting defending league champion Airport in a critical doubleheader Monday.
"The key is just to throw strikes and play good defense," Gilles said. "Even if we're not hitting the ball well, we should be able to manufacture a few runs.
"But we can't play catch-up. We want to be in control of the game, stick to our philosophy, and not just go up there hoping for hits. These are tough teams and they're going to be trying to do the same things we're doing, but if we do the things we've been preaching all year, we'll be OK."
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