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MUSKEGON — Mason County Central rode a potent offense and solid pitching performances to a doubleheader sweep of Orchard View on Tuesday, winning 15-3 and 9-4.
In the opener, the Spartans pounded out 13 hits to take control early. Leadoff hitter Toby Reed set the tone, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, a walk and three stolen bases. Michael Chye drove in four runs on a 2-for-4 effort, while Kaden Ruiz, Cayden Rummer and Thomas Lynch each added two hits.
Ruiz earned the win on the mound, striking out eight over five innings while allowing three earned runs.
“We hit the ball very well. Happy to see that,” MCC coach Shaun Reed said. “Thirteen hits is a good number for a team. Toby Reed went 3-for-4, four runs, a walk and three stolen bases. That’s what you want to see from the leadoff.”
Reed also praised Ruiz’s outing.
“He pitched well. When he is dialed in he is tough to hit,” Reed said. “We played well. I would like us to close it out a little quicker, but overall I’m happy with this win. Everybody contributed.”
A highlight came from Richard Bowen, who recorded his first varsity hit after placing second at the state forensics competition over the weekend.
“Pretty cool. We call him glue,” Reed said. “He holds us together, always a good attitude, always cheering his teammates on, always giving his all.”
The nightcap was less polished but still resulted in a Spartans win. MCC managed just two hits but capitalized on 18 total walks between the teams to secure a 9-4 victory.
Pierce Bladzik and Brody Walle accounted for MCC’s hits, while Chye drove in two runs and Ruiz added an RBI on a sacrifice fly.
“Not gonna lie, it was kind of a sloppy game,” Reed said. “What is good is that we can overcome the sloppy and still win. There were 18 total walks between the two teams. We only had two hits and scored nine runs. That says a lot about the game.”
Bladzik started on the mound, striking out eight and allowing two earned runs. Trent Hawke provided relief in both games, closing out each win.
“It was a weird game. Both starting pitchers were effectively wild,” Reed said.
Mason County Central will next compete in the wood bat tournament in Hesperia this weekend.
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