The Eagles of Lakeland High School swooped down and handed the Wildcats their first loss of the season, after falling 12-1 in a lopsided game on March 26.
James Rodgers picked up his first lose of the year bring his season record to 1-1. Scott Stubenrauch was the only Wildcat to collect a hit. Stubenrauch clubbed his second home run of the year. It was a no doubt blast off his bat.
As far as the loss goes, Oxford Head Coach Dave Herrick, said his boys were facing a senior left-hand pitcher.
‘He wasn’t throwing very hard, but he was hitting his spots and changing the speeds up. We didn’t make the adjustments we needed to at the plate to get the job done,? Herrick explained ‘It was a good learning experience for the team, kind of humbled us, it definitely helped the boys know that we’re not going to come out and win every game.?
Earlier in the week the boys had defeated Walled Lake Central High School 12-2.
The Wildcats played a solid game in all facets of the game. Michael Neff picked up his second win of the year throwing all five innings. Neff sent six Vikings back to the dugout after striking out. Scott Stubenrauch led the offense picking going two for three with a triple, home run, two RBI’s, and a stolen base. Anthony Gunn went three for three and also plated two Wildcats. Nate Olson collected one hit on the day and three RBI’s. Drew Connelly was a threat on the base paths all day. He swiped two bases from the Vikings.
Herrick said two of his Senior starting pitchers, Michael Neff and James Rogers have gotten off to good starts on the season. Both pitchers received wins in their first double header of the season again Brandon on March 20.
‘Of the three (wins on the season so far) Michael has two wins and James Rogers has one. Both of them have done a really good job attacking the zone and keeping their pitch counts down to the best they could,? Herrick added. ‘They were really aggressive with their fastball, knowing that a lot of these teams haven’t seen living pitching. From that standpoint we did a great job keeping our defense in the game.?
In their first three wins, Herrick said his boys put up a lot of runs.
‘All the hitters had a great approach, we were just trying to drive the ball up the middle and take one at bat at a time, they were honestly good team wins,? he added. ‘People were sacrificing themselves, playing small ball when we needed to and driving big hits when we needed it as well. It was a good brand of baseball those three games.?
Next up the boys face the Lapeer Lighting at home on Thursday April 2. The first pitch will be at 4 p.m.
‘I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a challenge, now that the two high schools are combined (into one). Just basing it off football and their other sports, it’s going to be a challenge for us,? he said. ‘Those schools were good athletically (separately, now) together I think we’re going to have our hands full.?
All-in-all, Herrick is pleased with his boys 3-1 record start.
‘I’m very pleased with getting the winning record right off the bat,? he added ‘We’re preaching that we’re trying to change the culture of the program and get it back to its winning ways.?