A grand slam home run by senior Andy Harding helped the Brandon varsity baseball team split a doubleheader with visiting Linden May 1.
Harding’s grand slam, which came as part of a seven-run second inning, powered the Blackhawks to a 11-4 win against the Eagles in the nightcap of a twin bill between the two Flint Metro League schools. The Eagles defeated the Blackhawks 7-4 in the opening game.
The Blackhawks are now 4-5 overall and 2-2 in Flint Metro League play.
Brandon’s big inning came after the Eagles took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second inning. Jake Feltner led off the bottom of the second with a walk, then Jeff Carroll followed with a single.
Ryan Claycomb then walked, and Austin Dery then pinch-ran for Claycomb. Travis Spry then walked to force in Feltner, tying the game at two.
After Andrew Hyde struck out, Harding then hit the grand slam to put the Blackhawks up 6-2, and they scored two more runs in the inning to take a commanding 8-2 lead.
Brandon coach Ron Wagner said Harding has been on a hot streak lately.
‘He’s really kicked it up in the past week,? he said. ‘He was in a slump earlier in the year.
Harding, who went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, was not the only Blackhawk to have a big day at the plate in the nightcap. Hyde, Matt Cinader and Robert Thompson each had two hits for the Blackhawks. Curtis Byers and Cinader each scored two runs, while Thompson drove in two runs.
Claycomb was the game’s winning pitcher, throwing five innings and allowing four runs (none earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out four. Kenny McNeil hurled the final two innings for Brandon.
In the opener, the Blackhawks fell victim to a steady onslaught of Linden runs. The Eagles scored in each inning except the second and fourth innings.
Brandon tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to cut the Linden lead to 6-4, but the Eagles scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win.
The Blackhawks had a very productive offensive day in their first game of the Greater Flint Tournament, defeating Owosso 14-8 in an April 30 contest. Brandon benefited from a seven-run fourth inning to defeat the Trojans.
Harding had another big day for the Blackhawks, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple, driving in five runs and scoring three. Spry also went 3-for-4, with two runs scored and one RBI.
Carroll picked up the win for the Blackhawks, pitching 4-2/3 innings in relief of starter Ray Reynolds.