The Cleary University baseball team kept its hopes alive in the USCAA Small College World Series on Tuesday, and with a bang.
The Cougars (20-26) beat defending USCAA champion Apprentice College 10-1, earning them a date in the consolation semifinals with Robert Morris-Peoria at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The winner of that game will play either Cincinnati-Clermont or Penn State-DuBois for the consolation championship at 4:30 p.m.
All of the games are being played in Glens Falls, N.Y.
Brighton native Gunnar Gail went 6 2/3 innings for the victory, allowing two runs on eight hits, while the Cleary defense, which was subpar (10 errors) in two games Monday, was airtight on Tuesday,
The Cougars scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead in unspectacular fashion, via sacrifice fly, fielder’s choice and an infield groundout by Fowlerville’s John Grable.
Gail, meanwhile, kept the Builders scoreless until the sixth, walking five and striking out six.
Dugan Roosa was 4-for-5, including a pair of doubles, for the Cougars, while Reid Beffrey added three hits.
Cleary, in its second season as a program under coach Karl Kling, is playing in its first USCAA tournament.