By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

EAST LANSING, MI – The University Liggett Knights look to become back-to-back state champions (D4 2013) after defeating Reese by a final score of 7-1.

The Knights scored two runs in the first thanks to back-to-back walks by Adam Fiema and Cole Zingas and an error.

With Fiema on third and Zingas on second an error on a routine allowed Fiema to score and put runners on the corners.

Gehrig Anglin came to the plate and hit a two hopper back to the mound where Reese starter Matt Sahr turned to second with the hopes of turning two.

However Anglin beat the throw at first allowing Zingas to score and put the Knights on top 2-0.

The two runs were enough for Gushee on the mound as the righty went the distance allowing just one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two.

University Liggett added one in the second.

Ian Clark singled, advanced to second on a Connor McCarron sacrifice bunt and scored on a Fiema RBI single.

Down 3-1 Reese got its lone run in the second.

Cody Peyok singled and advanced to second on an Alex Duke single. Jared Schrader sacrificed Peyok and Duke over to second and third.

After a strikeout, Duke got picked off at second but stayed in the run down long enough to allow Peyok to cross the plate.

The Knights scored three more in the third and one in the fourth.

In the third, Anthony Simon drew a leadoff walk. After a sacrifice bunt and groundout Patrick Broder roped an RBI single to left to score Simon.

Clark followed with a single to pit two on.

Back-to-back-back walks allowed Broder and Clark to score.

In the fourth the Knights added an insurance run.

Simon singled and scored on an Gushee sacrifice fly to put the Knights on top 7-1.

Top Performers:

• Matthew Gushee, went the distance on the mound giving up just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out two.
• Adam Fiema, had two singles, a run scored and two RBIs.
• Anthony Simon, had a single, two runs scored and an RBI.
• Ian Clark, had two singles and two runs scored.

Linescore

University Liggett   213  100  0  -  7  7  3

Reese                     010  000  0  -  1  4  3

Records: University Liggett 24-8, Reese 28-8-1.

Winning pitcher: Matthew Gushee (7 innings, 1 run, 4 hits, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk).

Losing pitcher: Matt Sahr (2.2 innings, 6 runs, 4 hits, 2 strikeouts, 6 walks). Other: Cody Peyok (4.1 innings, 1 run, 0 ER, 3 hits, 1 strikeout, 3 walks).

Leading hitters: (University Liggett, 7 hits) – Adam Diema 2 singles; Anthony Simon single; Gehrig Anglin single; Patrick Broder single; Ian Clark 2 singles. (Reese, 4 hits) – Justin Heinlein single; Tony Bentley single; Cody Peyok single; Alex Duke single.