Black Sox drop Coca Cola opener

Defensive miscues squandered a solid pitching performance as the Cambrian Mazda Midget Black Sox dropped their opening game of the Coca Cola Classic Baseball Tournament at Sinclair Yards on Friday evening.

Kai Tuomi pitched six solid innings but defensive errors cost the Black Sox four unearned runs in a 5-3 loss to Gladwin Post 171.

Two errors in the bottom of the first inning on a botched run down and a dropped infield pop up allowed Gladwin to jump to an early 2-0 lead.

Errors continued in the third inning as Gladwin extended their at bat after a passed ball on a third strike that should have been the third out. With runners at first and second, Gladwin's Mike Ballard stroked a two run double down the left field line to put the visitors ahead 4-0 after three innings.

The Black Sox scored an unearned run of their own in the fourth inning as Dan O'Connor drove home Tyler Rooley on a ground ball through the second baseman's legs.

Trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning, the Black Sox made a slight comeback as the offense finally solved Gladwin starter Champ Rankin for a pair of runs. O'Connor drove home a run on a fielder's choice and Andre Robidoux singled home another.

Gladwin then brought in hard throwing lefty Trent Mulder, who quickly closed the inning before striking out the side in the seventh inning.

"I think our guys had some nerves and some anxiety. I know we can play better than what we did, especially catching the ball," said Black Sox head coach Mike Lebel.

"This just puts more pressure on us to play well (Saturday). We need to win that first game to create a logjam in standings and see what happens from there. We haven't decided who we're going to start yet but Steve Christian is a leading candidate."

Tuomi gave up an earned run on six hits, threw 10 strikeouts and walked one. Gladwin's Rankin and Mulder combined for 13 strikeouts.

"Some of the errors made today were by some young kids who are getting their first true test at this level. The players are better and pitching is much better. But I think our guys will settle down and play better ball (Saturday)."

The Black Sox play a double header this morning to close out their portion of the round robin schedule. The Black Sox meet Stanwood at 9 a.m. and Valley East at 11:30 a.m. Stanwood defeated Valley East 13-0 in action on Friday.