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By Dave Sontag
PBR Michigan Scout

We look to bring the state of Michigan top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the MHSAA State Tournament as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

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PBR Michigan Spotlight Game: #2 (D-1) Saline vs Bedford

Game 1

Saline senior pitcher Josh Nelson certainly took advantage of the MHSAA pitching maximum limit this week.

The Wayne State University commit used all of his 30 outs in a three-day span to earn two wins and one save against arch-rival Bedford.

The final win came in a comeback fashion for the Hornets as they finished a sweep of the Mules, 5-4 Wednesday on Bedford’s home field.

Nelson relieved senior starter John Holt (Eastern Michigan University commit) in the third inning after Bedford had scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead. Holt was wild in his start as Bedford took advantage of his seven walks and two hits.

Bedford’s Tanner Glass had the big knock in the third with a run-scoring double that just eluded right fielder Rich Hovde’s glove.

It then became the Josh Nelson show again as the right-hander entered with the bases loaded and just one out. He retired Tony Yambor on strikes and then induced a weak grounder to halt Bedford’s rally.

Bedford coach Craig Trychel’s team held the Hornets to just two runs through six innings.

Glass struck out the first Hornets’ hitter in the 7th inning, but was let down by his defense after that.

Saline’s junior Zach Schwartzenberger’s innocent ground ball turned into a Bedford error. A walk to senior Thomas Miller (Oakland University commit) and a single to left by senior Zach Owings (Eastern Michigan University commit) loaded the bases.

Trychel then called on reliever David Jeffers to stem the tide against sophomore Cole Daniels. Saline’s stocky hitter drilled a hard ground ball that just eluded second baseman Kyle Brzozkza as two runs scored to tie the game, 4-4.

Jeffers then struck out Hovde, and junior Ted Eppinga grounded out to end the inning.

Nelson continued to cruise through the 7th. In fact, the sneaky-fast hurler only faced two hitters over the minimum in his 5 2/3 innings, striking out nine and not issuing a walk.

With the scored tied in the 8th and two outs, Miller lined a sharp single into center field to plate pinch runner Ryan Foley to propel Saline into a 5-4 lead.

The big hit by Miller stood up as Saline retired Bedford in the 8th. Nelson picked up two of the outs in the 7th, but he had to leave the game because of the MHSAA pitching limit rule.

Saline coach Scott Theisen then called on junior Tyler Zmich to find the last out. The big right-hander struck out Luke Wingate to end the thrilling tilt.

For Nelson, it was a memorable week. Ten innings pitched…two wins…one save – and the dominant force behind Saline’s sweep of Bedford.

Saline moved to 9-1 (3-0 SEC) while Bedford dropped to 3-4 (0-3 SEC).

Top Performances

+ Thomas Miller: Two singles, run, GWRBI.

+ Zach Owings: Two singles.

+ Cole Daniels: Single, 3 RBI, SF.

+ Josh Nelson: Win, 5.33 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 9 strikeouts.

+ Tyler Zmich: Save, 1 strikeout.

+ Tanner Glass: 6.33 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 4 strikeouts.

+ Glass: Double, run, RBI

Linescore

Saline         001 100 21 - 5 6 2
Bedford      013 000 00 - 4 3 4

WP – Nelson
Save – Zmich
LP – Jeffers