Indians win own hardball invitational

Bats were cracking and pitching was stellar for Tecumseh at its varsity baseball invitational on Saturday, May 2, with the Indians shutting out opponents and going 2-0 for the championship.Tecumseh beat Flat Rock 3-0 in the first game of the day at Tecumseh High School while Ann Arbor Huron defeated Riverview 5-4 at the junior varsity ball field. The Indians defeated Ann Arbor Huron 7-0 in the championship final while Riverview won the consolation game 5-3.Earning the win from the mound in game one was Aaron Luci who went the distance and gave up just one hit and four walks while striking out five for the Indians.“Luci pitched a great game for us,” said Tecumseh coach Tom Bullinger. “He outlasted Flat Rock’s pitcher, who also pitched a great game, to give us a chance to win.”Tecumseh’s offense produced four hits in the game with Evan Eldred leading the Indians with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate that included two RBI.“We didn’t look very good at the plate today, but our defense picked it up and kept us ahead,” Bullinger commented.Eldred knocked in the first run in the fourth inning and did it again in the sixth inning for Tecumseh’s third run. Spencer Cowen earned the championship victory, also pitching all seven innings for Tecumseh. He gave up five hits and walked two while striking out three.“We hit the ball a lot harder in the second game,” said Bullinger. “It took us a few innings to get going again, but we got runners on base and had a big fourth and fifth innings. Cowen pitched very efficient and our defense made plays for him. More guys are stepping up at the plate and giving us better at bats.The Indians recorded 11 hits in the game. Sam Benschoter went 2-for-3, with two runs and an RBI while Jeremy Hatfield went 2-for-2, with a double and RBI.Eldred (2 RBI) and Jeff Arnett (double, 3 RBI) were both 2-for-3 at the plate. Eldred and Arnett are the Indians’ number six and seven hitters. “I was real happy on how we played defense and pitched today. Hitting comes and goes, but you have to be consistent on the mound and on defense. We only had one error today and it helps when your pitchers are throwing strikes and giving you a chance to make plays.” The Indians (14-6 overall and 8-3) won 2-0 and lost 3-2 against visiting Dexter on Monday. Benschoter (7 ip, 1 hit, 3 BB, 16 K's) earned the pitching win for Tecumseh.“Sam [Benschoter] was fantastic on the mound tonight. He really hit his spots. It was probably his best game this year. A lot of his pitches were on the black and at the knees. He is very difficult to hit off of when he is throwing like that,” said Bullinger.Hatfield (1-for-2) recorded an RBI in the fourth inning that scored Alex Mukensturm, who hit a double to lead off the inning.Hatfield (5 ip, 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 3 BB, 3 K's) was Tecumseh’s starting pitcher in game two.Luci (2 ip, 1 earned run, 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K) was sent in on relief and recorded the loss.Grant Anschuetz (2-4, run), Mukensturm (2-3, run) and Arnett (2 RBI) were each 2-for-3. A big hit by Arnett tied the game but the Indians were unable to respond when Dexter scored a run in the top of the seventh inning.“We have to find ways to win these close games. Our team played solid defense, we just have to be a tougher out sometimes at the plate,” Bullinger said. “Our pitchers have been doing a great job in giving us chances to win all year. It’s time for our offense to step up.”On Thursday, April 30, Tecumseh played a single game at Lumen Christi and lost 9-6.Bullinger said that he liked what he saw at the plate form his squad. However, the team had too many errors that led to runs.“We have to do a better job in not only fielding the ball but putting the error behind us,” Bullinger commented. “We can’t let one error lead to more and play with our heads down. We have to find ways to pick each other up and play through them. Play for the next pitch.”Eldred (4 ip, 1 run, 1 earned, 1 BB, 4 hits) started the game on the mound for Tecumseh.Cowen (1 ip, 6 runs, 1 earned, 6 hits, 0 BB, 2 K’s) recorded Tecumseh’s loss. Trevor Willis (1 ip, 2 runs, 1 earned, 1 hit, 1 BB) pitched for the Indians on relief.Tecumseh’s offensive leaders were Anschuetz (2 hits, double, RBI), Alex Mukensturm (2 hits, 2 runs), Benschoter (2 hits, 2 runs) and Hatfield (2 hits, double, 2 RBI).On Wednesday, April 29, the Indians played Ypsilanti and won 11-1 in six innings.Mukensturm (5 ip, 1 earned run, 3 hits, 4 BB, 6 K’s) earned the pitching win. Luci (1 ip, 1 K) pitched on relief.Eldred (2-for-3, run), Jordan Patterson (2-for-3, run, RBI), Mukensturm (triple, 2 RBI) and Benschoter (1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI) led Tecumseh’s offense.

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