Orchard Lake St. Mary’s baseball downs Saline in nonconference showdown

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BRIGHTON, Mich. -- Orchard Lake St. Mary’s battled against the Saline at the Legacy Sports Complex. It was a very tough and close matchup, as the Eaglets came away with the win 2-1.

It was a very defensive competition through the first two innings as both squads couldn’t find a run. In the bottom of the third inning, Saline took a 1-0 advantage as Roman Moreo scored a run for the Hornets.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s earned their first run in the top of the fifth inning as Will Boisineau was sent home by a sacrifice fly from Charlie Hardenburgh to tie the game up at one all.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Eaglets went up 2-1 after Boisineau would earn another run, his second on the day.

The rest of the matchup was a straight defensive effort from St. Mary’s as they would only allow one hit to close out the game take the win, 2-1.

Here are a couple of takeaways from the game:

Jasen Oliver continues to prove his talent as he led St. Mary’s to the win

Oliver, who is committed to play baseball at Indiana next year, took the game over in the bottom half to lead the Eaglets to the hard-fought win.

After not getting much going in the top half of the game, Oliver flipped the switch in the top of the sixth inning as he would hit a huge RBI triple that sent in Boisineau and gave St. Mary’s the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, Oliver took over on the mound and relieved Anthony Pesci to earn three quick outs, including a strikeout, to avoid any runs allowed.

Oliver allowed one hit with no runs and a strikeout to end the seventh inning and give St. Mary’s the win.

The defensive showing from the Eaglets prevailed

Both St. Mary’s and Saline would have strong showings fielding, but it was the defensive efforts from OLSM, especially in the bottom half, that propelled them to a win.

St. Mary’s didn't allow a hit through the first two innings until the bottom of the third where two hits on one run were allowed as Roman Moreo was sent home.

The Eaglets would then allow two hits in the bottom of the fourth, but would quickly turn that around as Pesci would earn a strikeout, followed by a double play to avoid any runs.

Through the next two innings, the Eaglets allowed no hits or runs as Oliver was sent in to close out the game in the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh, Oliver allowed a hit but Saline would find no success as the Eaglets closed it out for the win.