Photos by Emily Vanderstelt for CatchMark
MUSKEGON — Kent City’s baseball team made sure that head coach Derek Larson’s 200th win would be a memorable one.
In a battle of teams nicknamed Eagles, Kent City pushed across three runs in the top of the eighth for a 10-7 extra-innings victory over host Oakridge during a back-and-forth nonleague season opener Monday.
Larson’s son, senior Kyler Larson, earned the pitching win in relief with two scoreless innings and delivered a big double in the pivotal eighth frame.
Kyler Larson suffered a torn ACL in his knee during basketball season, but the right-handed Grand Rapids Community College signee was still out there battling on the diamond.
Here are more details and notables from the game:
- Kent City led 2-1 after one inning and 3-2 after three.
- Kent City built a 6-2 lead through four innings, then Oakridge rallied with four runs in the fifth to tie it.
- Kent City went back in front, 7-6, in the sixth, then Oakridge answered again with a run in the seventh to tie it and force extra innings.
- Kent City outhit Oakridge, 8-6.
- Kent City made six errors compared to two for Oakridge. Kent City benefited from nine walks by Oakridge pitchers.
- Ryan Darling had two hits, including a double, scored three runs and had an RBI to lead Kent City offensively.
- Webb Longcore also doubled for Kent City, driving in a pair of runs.
- Troy Atwood had a hit and scored three runs for Kent City.
- Zane Kik and Tyler Brummel both had a hit and drove in two runs for Kent City.
- Matt Danicek and Arturo Romero-Serrano both had a pair of hits and scored two runs for Oakridge. Romero-Serrano also had an RBI.
- Evan Miller provided a two-run double for Oakridge.
- Brody Jennings drove in a run for Oakridge.
- This is Derek Larson’s 20th season at the Kent City helm, including the COVID year.
