MUSKEGON TWP. - On a day when defense in general was a bit of a problem for the Reeths-Puffer baseball team, one huge defensive play helped save the game for the Rockets.
Oakridge had just scored a run in the top of the sixth inning, tying the game at 2-2, and had runners at third and first with one out.
The Eagles tried a suicide squeeze play to get the go-ahead run in, and the batter fouled off a bunt attempt in the air.
On any other day, in any other moment, the foul ball would probably have fallen harmlessly a few feet from home plate, and the batter would have gotten another chance.
R-P pitcher Drew Brooks, who got the win. Photo/Steve Gunn
But R-P senior catcher Quinn Alderink leapt to his feet when the bat hit the ball, dove hard to his right, managed to snag the ball before it hit the ground, then got up and threw to third base, doubling off the runner and ending the threat.
Then the Rockets came up in the bottom of the sixth, scored three runs and rode the big inning to an exciting 5-2 victory at R-P's Pete Sodini Field.
Reeths-Puffer improved to 2-0 on the young season.
R-P's Jack Yonkman slides into second ahead of the tag. Photo/Steve Gunn
"Quinn knew it was coming, and he made a terrific play," said R-P head coach Butch Attig. "It was like a midseason play. I was proud of him. He took his time, got behind the ball, and made a good throw. It was good to see."
Alderink said he figured he could make the play, and was excited that it sparked his team to the victory.
"I was pretty sure, once I saw where it was, that I could get there," Alderink said. "I was surprised that the runner was not even close to the bag, and I was able to throw him out at third.
"It was a good play that helped transition us. We scored three runs the next inning, we were so hyped up."
R-P's Holden Earnest crosses home plate to score a run. Photo/Steve Gunn
Alderink's great play - and a great throw by R-P right fielder Colton Bessinger in the fourth inning to double a runner off first - were the defensive highlights on a day when the Rockets booted and dropped the ball on a number of plays that should have been made.
R-P totaled five errors, but somehow managed to avoid the damage those miscues might have caused.
"You're going to make mistakes early (in the season)," Attig said. "That happens in baseball. It was good to see us overcome it. We got patient at the plate and put the ball in play when we were supposed to. I was proud of them. They were resilient."
Yonkman takes a big cut at a pitch. Photo/Steve Gunn
Most of the game was a battle for the Rockets. They came out shaky in the first inning when starting pitcher Jack Yonkman allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs, but escaped with no damage by striking out two batters and coaxing another to pop out to shortstop.
Oakridge took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on two walks and two R-P errors.
That score stood until the bottom of the fourth, when two Rockets reached base on a walk and error, then scored when sophomore Brendan Guikema blasted a two-run double to left field.
The Eagles tied the score in the top of the sixth with a double by Michael Wambaugh, followed by two R-P errors that allowed him to cross the plate.
Alderink's great play on the squeeze bunt attempt later in the inning kept the score tied, then R-P took control with a big sixth inning.
R-P's Brendan Guikema gets a lead off second base. Photo/Steve Gunn
Lukas Johnson led off and was hit by a pitch, Yonkman walked, Brayden Mitchelson singled, Holden Earnest knocked in a run with a single, and Guikema followed with an RBI sacrifice fly. The final run scored on an Oakridge error.
R-P relief pitcher Drew Brooks got the win, allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings. Yonkman threw four innings, striking out seven, walking three and and allowing two hits.
The Rockets are scheduled to play Spring Lake at home on Wednesday.