.png)
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.
HOLTON — Mason County Central closed out its regular season baseball schedule Thursday with a split against Holton, falling 3-2 in a pitchers’ duel before bouncing back for a 15-5 mercy-rule win in the nightcap.
In the opener of the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division match-up, the Spartans were limited to just one hit in a tightly contested game. Trent Hawke delivered the lone hit for MCC in the top of the seventh inning, driving in the tying run and breaking up Holton’s no-hit bid.
Pierce Bladzik turned in a gritty performance on the mound for Central, striking out eight batters over six innings. Despite allowing 10 hits and three earned runs, Bladzik repeatedly worked out of trouble while the Spartans played solid defense behind him.
“Usually when there are that many hits, there are more runs,” MCC coach Shaun Reed said. “He pitched out of a lot of jams, and our defense was solid as well.”
Bladzik and Toby Reed scored the Spartans’ two runs in the loss.
“These are good games to be in though,” Reed said. “These get us prepared for battles down the road.”
The Spartans responded in a big way in game two, rolling to a 15-5 victory in five innings.
MCC combined timely hitting with disciplined plate appearances, drawing 12 walks in the win.
“Baseball is a funny game,” Reed said. “Lost on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh in the first game and win the second game by mercy rule. We hit the ball better and it found openings.”
Hawke earned the win on the mound, pitching 4 1/3 innings while relying on contact and solid defense behind him. Mason County Central committed just one error in the contest.
Hawke also contributed offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Bladzik, Chye, Kaden Ruiz and Toby Reed each added hits for the Spartans.
Thursday marked the final regular season games for MCC seniors Gideon Sales, Ruiz and Reed.
“These three guys, while very different, share a love for baseball,” coach Reed said. “I can tell they are all in and fired up going into districts. It’s going to be fun.”
Thank you to the following businesses who make reporting of local sports, like this story, possible:
MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by:
Baker Ford Ludington, 3045 W. US 10-31, Ludington, 888-856-9116, bakerfordludington.com
Fresh Coast Foam, 7440 W. 5 Mile Rd., Irons; 231-510-9513, www.freshcoastfoam.com
Mission Graphics, 113 S. Blaine St., Scottville, 231-845-7030, mymission.graphics
Quick-Way, Inc., 1004 Conrad Industrial Dr., Ludington, 231-845-6520, qkwa.net
Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, 231-757-4743, smith-eddy.com
Michelle and Andrew Thomas
___________________________________
Please consider making a one-time contribution to help support MCP.
Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
To sign up, email editor@mediagroup31.com. In the subject line write: Subscription. Please supply your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number (indicate cell phone). We will not share your information with any outside sources. For more than one email address in a household, the cost is $15 per month per email address.
We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
Payment must be made in advance prior to subscription activation.
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
_____
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
