Tecumseh improves to 20-3 overall

Both Bedford and Ann Arbor Skyline were swept by Tecumseh’s varsity baseball team last week and visiting Ypsilanti felt the power of the Indians bats on Monday, May 14, getting beat 14-1 and 3-2.The Indians improved to 20-3 overall and 8-3 in the Southeast Conference with the victories.On Thursday, May 10, Tecumseh shutout Ann Arbor Skyline 6-0 in game one and won 9-2 in the nightcap after some stellar play on the infield.Jacob Britt was the winning pitcher in game one, throwing all seven innings and giving up just three hits while walking one and striking out four.“Jacob did an outstanding job keeping their hitters off balance and picked it up behind him defensively,” said Tecumseh coach Tom Bullinger.Britt was helpful at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with two RBI for the Indians. Spencer Adams went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI while Jared Powell was 1-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI.Tecumseh scored five of its runs in one inning. “Hitting is contagious and it showed today,” said Bullinger. “We had a good approach at the plate and had a lot of batters draw walks.”George Preston highlighted the game with a spot-on throw to home plate that Powel caught and tagged out Skyline’s runner. “That shifted the momentum our way and we went out and scored five runs after that big play,” said Bullinger.Eric Eldred was the winning pitcher in game two. He threw four innings and gave up four hits while walking one and striking out six.Max Patterson picked up the save after three innings of relief. He allowed no hits while striking out two.Spencer Adams was 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Indians while Michael Skelton was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and one RBI. Nick Cowen was 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI.“Our defense made some big plays in the second game, turning a double play with the bases loaded, and making tough plays in the infield,” said Bullinger. “Eric and Max pitched well and kept us in the game.”At Bedford on Tuesday, May 8, the Indians picked up wins of 6-1 and 6-3.Phil Carey went the entire distance, seven innings, in earning the win for Tecumseh in game one. He allowed one unearned run on two hits while walking two and striking out three.Britt (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Carey (2-for-4, 2 doubles) led Tecumseh’s offense. Spencer Adams (1-for-4, RBI, 2 runs) and Michael Skelton (1-for-3, 2 runs) also added hits for the Indians.“Our pitchers did a great job today,” said Bullinger of the doubleheader. “This was Nick's [Cowen] first complete game and he pitched very well. Phil kept the hitters off balance all game long.” Cowen pitched all seven innings of game two, giving up one earned run on five hits while walking three and striking out nine.Britt went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI while Brad Vannatter was 2-for-4 with two runs to lead the Indians’ bats.George Preston (double), Casey Hunt (RBI) and Powell (2 RBI) each added hits for Tecumseh.“I was very pleased with our effort, especially on the mound and with the bats,” said Bullinger. “Our approach has been much better these last few games and it is starting to show on the scoreboard. We are getting some good at bats from our guys and some big two-out hits too.”Tecumseh’s bats went right to work against Ypsilanti on Monday as Cowen picked up a 14-1 win in only five innings.“We came right out of the gate swinging the bats well, said Bullinger. “We hit the ball hard all game. Our defense made the plays behind Cowen all game as well.” Cowen gave up just three hits while walking three and striking out two.Britt went 2-for-3 and belted out a three-run home run with five RBI. Vannatter went 3-for-4 with four 4 RBI, two stolen bases and three runs scored while Powell went 2-for-3 with two RBI.The Indians’ offense wasn’t as lively in the nightcap but got the job done after being down by two runs.“We did do a good job in battling back from a 2-0 hole, but we have to continue to improve in driving in that runner from third with less than two outs,” said Bullinger.Max Patterson started on the mound and pitched five innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out three.Eldred earned the 3-2 win on relief after two innings, giving up no hits while walking one and striking out four.Powell went 2-for-3 with two doubles to lead the Indians offense while Britt (RBI), Patterson (game tying RBI) and Goerge Preston (game winning RBI) each added hits.