Varsity Baseball: Spartans, Orioles split season-opening doubleheader

MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — Mason County Central and Ludington split a season-opening baseball doubleheader Wednesday at Oriole Field, with Ludington winning the opener 7-4 and MCC taking the nightcap 3-1.

In game 1, Ludington used a five-run performance over the first and fifth innings to secure the win. The Orioles broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning when Chase Buck delivered an RBI single.

Ludington took an early 3-2 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Karson Knowles and a two-run single by Asher Forfinski.

MCC answered early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning on a single by Michael Chye and a fielder’s choice by Cayden Rummer. The Spartans later tied the game in the fifth when Chye delivered another run-scoring single.

Brody Kaminski earned the win for Ludington, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings while striking out nine. Brayten Kaminski recorded the save. Kaden Ruiz took the loss for MCC, allowing four runs over four innings.

Chye led MCC offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Pierce Bladzik also added two hits. Toby Reed reached base three times and scored twice.

For Ludington, Forfinski drove in three runs, while Knowles, Buck and Kaminski each added hits. The Orioles also showed patience at the plate, drawing nine walks and stealing five bases.

MCC rebounded in game 2 behind a strong pitching performance to earn a 3-1 victory in a five-inning contest.

The Spartans scored all three of their runs in the third inning. Reed singled, Chye walked and a Ludington error allowed MCC to take the lead.

Cayden Rummer started on the mound for MCC and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Trent Hawke added three innings in relief, giving up one run on two hits.

Knowles took the loss for Ludington, allowing three runs, two earned, over five innings while striking out six.

Kaden Ruiz led MCC with two hits, while Reed, Rummer and Chye each drove in a run.

Ludington recorded seven hits in the game, led by Brody Kaminski with two.

MCC coach Shaun Reed said he was pleased with his team’s effort in the opener.

“The team played well for our first game,” Reed said. “If we don’t have the errors, we win that first game. Our first-game jitters are out of the way now and we will keep building from here.”

Reed added he was encouraged by his team’s response in game 2.

“For us to bounce back after losing the first game to take the second game makes me happy,” he said. “We will build on the good, correct the bad and get better each week.”