Purple Eagles settle for twin bill split

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s John Krieger dives back into first base as Barker’s Tanner Gregorie tries to make the tag. The action took place during the Purple Eagles win over the visiting Raiders this afternoon.

A late rally fell just short as host Albion settled for a split in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball doubleheader this afternoon.

Albion first defeated Barker 11-2 but then was unable to overcome a late seven run deficit as Akron trimmed the Purple Eagles 8-7.

That win gives Akron sole possession of first place at 3-0 as Albion slips into a tie for second place with rival Medina at 2-1. Ironically, the Purple Eagles next visit the Mustangs on Monday.

Albion 11, Barker 2

Connor Barleben had the hot bat for Albion as he banged out four hits, including a pair of two-run doubles, and drove in a total of five runs.

Barker jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Demarais but Albion answered right back in the home half of the frame with a two-run double by Barleben.

Barker briefly retied the game at 2-2 in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly by Collin Webb but could not regain the lead as the Raiders left the bases loaded.

Albion moved back on top to stay at 3-2 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Steven Stauss who had two hits in the game.

A sacrifice fly by Jason Downs made it 4-2 in the fourth before the Purple Eagles finally broke the contest open with four tallies in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

A two-run double by Barleben highlighted the fifth inning uprising as the other runs came home on a single by Noah Preston and a wild pitch.

Barleben also had an RBI single in the sixth as a hit batsman and a fielders choice play accounted for the other tallies.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Connor Barleben had a big four hit, five RBI effort for Albion against Barker.

Barker got a rally going in the sixth after pair of hits but Albion got out of the jam as catcher John Warne threw the lead off runner out at third.

The loss drops Barker to 1-2 in N-O action.

Akron 8, Albion 7

Leading by a narrow 1-0 margin, Akron erupted for seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to key what turned out to be a narrow win over Albion.

A two-run single by Zach Pfenter highlighted the Tigers uprising which also included four more singles, three walks and an error.

Albion though did answer right back with seven runs in the home half of the sixth on a two-run single by Andy Ashworth, a two-run error, an RBI single by Barleben and two wild pitches but the Purple Eagles could get no closer than 8-7. Singles by Warne and Stauss set up that rally.

Albion, which managed only two hits over the first five innings, did get one runner aboard in the seventh but he was left stranded at second.