Bears Baseball Loses at Gibraltar Carslon

started Wednesday’s matchup at Gibraltar Carlson with a bang as senior Travis Rodery blasted a home run to lead off the game.

Unfortunately for the Bears, Carlson quickly answered and handed Wyandotte (5-3, 1-2) an 8-6 Downriver League defeat.

In the second inning, the Marauders sent 10 batters to the plate against senior Gerald Mayhew, the game’s starting pitcher. Even a big break from the umpires could not help the struggling starter in the second inning.

After loading the bases, Mayhew gave up a hit to Carlson’s Tony Skuratovich that plated all three men on base. However, the runners were forced to return and Skuratovich was called out after the umpires discovered he used an illegal bat. 

The Marauders quickly rebounded from the call, knocking in all three runs again and adding two more to go up 5-1.

Wyandotte coach Brian Cotner replaced Mayhew on the mound in the second inning with senior Chase Schmittou. Schmittou took over and struck out Carlson’s Travis Payne to end the inning, but the damage was done.

“It all starts with pitching and will end with pitching," Cotner said. “If you’re not throwing strikes bad things will happen.” 

Wyandotte comeback attempts were consistently halted by Carlson on Wednesday.

The Bears put up two fourth-inning runs with an RBI apiece from senior Steve Caldwell and junior Cody Foley. Carlson quickly answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. 

A Carlson error and an RBI from senior Ben Mekolon gave Wyandotte two runs in the sixth inning. The Marauders came back with one run in the bottom of the sixth and extended the lead to 8-5.

In the final inning, Mayhew knocked in sophomore Devan Stewart and got on base with the potential tying run. Carlson pitcher Jeremy Bagnall came in and shut down the rally, getting junior Devon Jones to fly out and end the game. 

Wednesday’s loss was the second league defeat in as many games. The Bears also dropped Monday’s contest at Trenton.

Schimittou, who pitched 5.1 innings Wednesday, said opposing teams will continue giving extra effort against Wyandotte this year and the Bears must be better prepared for it. Wyandotte was last season’s Downriver League champion.

“We have that target on the back,” Schmittou said. “Everyone’s going to play their 'A-game' when they play against us. We can’t take teams for granted.”  

Game Leaders

Mayhew went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Mekolon was 2-4 with an RBI. Schmittou went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

A Look Ahead

Wyandotte plays at home Thursday against Southgate Anderson at 4 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for April 6, but was canceled due to weather conditions.