**Strike Out Prostate Cancer Fundraiser**

Plymouth's Jeff Heuer eludes the tag of Salem third baseman Ken Novak during the second inning of game one. (photo by Ed Wright)

Prostate Foundation is big winner as Rocks, Wildcats split double-header

BY ED WRIGHT
May 15, 2010, 8:15 p.m.

  Great weather.

  Great cause.

  Great baseball.

  With sunny blue skies as a backdrop,  Saturday's "Strike Out Prostate Cancer" fundraiser/doubleheader between PCEP neighbors Salem and Plymouth couldn't have gone any  better.

  Fueled by three-hit pitching  from Harrison Michels and some sizzling aluminum at the plate, the Wildcats grabbed the opener, 9-1, on their home turf.

  The two teams then walked to Salem's field for game two, which was captured by the Rocks, 5-3, thanks to solid pitching from Scott Theisen and a two-run home run by Evan Gambino.

  "I don't have the final total as far as how much money was raised (for the Prostate Cancer Foundation), but I know it's well over what we had projected," said Plymouth coach Bryan Boyd. "We're going to make it an annual event between the two schools."

  Money raised from the sale of programs, food and raffle tickets will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, a cause that was chosen by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.

  "Everybody has been touched by cancer in some way or another, so it's great that we could help out a worthwhile cause  today," said Boyd.

  The split left the Wildcats with an 11-11 overall mark and 6-8 record in the KLAA Kensington Conference (only the first game counted toward the conference standings).

  Salem is now 11-14 and 5-10, respectively.

  Salem starting pitcher Matt Constance got off to a blazing start in the opener when he struck out the first two batters. However, Mike Nadratowski worked a walk, Matt Priebe ripped an RBI double and Phil Emminger clubbed a two-run home run to the opposite field to stake the 'Cats to a 3-0 first-inning lead.

  "On Wednesday, Phil hit a ball about 40 feet further than the one he hit today, but it hooked just foul," said Boyd. "He's such a hard worker and great kid, it was nice to see him rewarded. The kids were really excited for him."

  The 'Cats struck for two more in the second when Michels and Jimmy May scored after leading off the inning with a hit by pitch and walk, respectively. Jamarl Eiland knocked in a run with an infield single and Ben Wohl notched a ribbie with a fielder's choice ground ball.

  Plymouth padded its lead to 6-0 in the third when Priebe reached on a one-out error, Emminger walked and they executed a double-steal. Kevin Lozier then followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Priebe.

  Salem's lone run came in the fourth when Chris Kordick and Brett Ramirez singled before Kordick scored on Ken Novak's RBI ground out.

  Emminger struck again in the fourth when he ripped a two-run single, scoring Wohl, who had singled, and Nadratowski, who had walked.

  Plymouth pushed across its final run in the sixth when Wohl singled, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on a Nadratowski single.

  Michels was in command throughout the contest, striking out four and walking three.

  Offensively, the 'Cats were paced by Emminger (2-for-3, four RBI), Wohl (2-for-4, two runs, RBI) and Priebe, who reached base four times, scored twice and knocked in one.

  "That was a big win for us," said Boyd, who was Salem's freshmen coach last season. "It's always nice to beat your cross-campus rival."

  The Rocks jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the nightcap, thanks in large part to Gambino's third-inning home run, which hit a tree that was planted well beyond the left-center field fence.

  Eric Lorber added an RBI double later in the inning.

  Plymouth chopped its deficit to 4-3 in the fifth when Chase Zebari belted a three-run home run to right center.

  Wohl (three hits) and Rich Guglielmi (two) had multiple-hit games for the Wildcats.

  Andy Dodge suffered the loss.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Salem second baseman Scott Devine tries to turn a double play during the second inning of game one. (photo by Ed Wright)

Salem's Nick Leventis takes a rip at a pitch during the first inning of Saturday's double-header.


Both teams' players and their moms were introduced before the first game.