Eastern splits softball doubleheader with Bear Lake

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.

CUSTER — Mason County Eastern split a West Michigan D League softball doubleheader with Bear Lake on Tuesday at St. Mary’s Field in Custer, winning the opener 3-1 before falling 8-7 in walk-off fashion in Game 2.

In the first game, both teams were strong in the circle, but the Cardinals used timely hitting and solid pitching from Miley Kessel to secure the victory.

MCE got on the board in the bottom of the third inning after Bear Lake committed an error and Bryanna Hasenbank followed with an RBI single down the left field line.

Kessel earned the win for Eastern, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over six innings while striking out eight and walking two.

Julia Girven took the loss for Bear Lake after allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits over five innings. She struck out seven and walked two.

Anna Story, batting eighth for the Cardinals, led MCE with two hits in two at-bats. Story and Hasenbank each drove in a run.

Cassidy Brown collected Bear Lake’s lone hit, finishing 1-for-3.

In Game 2, Bear Lake rallied late to earn an 8-7 walk-off win.

The Lakers scored the deciding run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Brynlee Ware singled home a run to break a 7-7 tie.

The game featured multiple lead changes throughout.

MCE opened the scoring in the first inning when Hasenbank drew a bases-loaded walk.

Bear Lake answered in the second after Alyvia Harthun doubled to left field and an Eastern error plated another run.

The Cardinals regained the lead in the third inning when Hasenbank drew another RBI walk and Bridget Whitaker added an RBI groundout.

Bear Lake moved back in front in the bottom half of the inning on Piper Putney’s two-run single.

Eastern responded with a three-run fifth inning to take a 7-4 advantage. Remington Smith, Anna Story and Kessel each delivered RBI singles during the rally.

The Lakers answered again in the sixth. Peyton Buckner tripled to center field to drive in a run before Ware delivered the game-winning RBI single.

Cassidy Brown earned the win for Bear Lake, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits over six innings while striking out six and walking five.

Kessel took the loss for the Cardinals after allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. She struck out four and walked one.

Smith led Eastern with two RBIs, while Story added two hits in three at-bats. Hasenbank drew three walks as the Cardinals worked five free passes in the game. Emma Whitaker also stole three bases for MCE.

Buckner and Harthun each collected two hits for Bear Lake. Putney and Harthun drove in two runs apiece.

“It’s always disappointing to lose your lead in the last bottom of an inning, but Bear Lake worked hard for that win,” MCE coach Jenn Whitaker said. “We need to sharpen some things up before heading into districts to face Hesperia on Friday.”