The air still carried the sharp bite of winter, with fans bundled in jackets and players exhaling clouds into the evening as cleats dug into cold, damp dirt. Bare trees swayed beyond the outfield fences, and spring still felt like it was taking its time getting here. But even with the chill hanging over West Michigan, baseball was back and the opening games delivered plenty of energy, from rivalry splits between Ludington and Mason County Central and Fremont and Ravenna to Whitehall’s commanding doubleheader sweep of Hart.
County Rivals Trade Blows as Ludington, Mason County Central Split Doubleheader
County rivals Ludington and Mason County Central opened the season by splitting a hard-fought doubleheader. The Orioles claimed the opener 7-6 behind a strong outing from Brody Kaminski, who allowed six hits and three runs over five innings while striking out nine, before Brayten Kaminski came on to earn the save. Asher Forfinski drove in three runs for Ludington, and Chase Buck delivered a key two-run single during the decisive fifth inning. Mason County Central answered in the nightcap with a 3-1 win, breaking through in the third inning and relying on steady pitching the rest of the way. Kaden Ruiz paced the Spartans offensively with a 2-for-2 performance, while Toby Reed, Cayden Rummer and Michael Chye each drove in a run as MCC earned the split.
Ravens Strike First, Packers Answer Back in Doubleheader Split
Fremont and Ravenna split their doubleheader, with Ravenna taking the opener 3-2 before the Packers bounced back for a 6-0 win in the second game. Fremont dropped the first game despite a solid outing from Chase Mercer, who struck out five and allowed three runs, only one of them earned. The Packers scored first in the third inning, but Ravenna answered in the fourth and held off a late Fremont push. In the nightcap, Fremont responded in convincing fashion behind a combined shutout from Collin Trouslot and Weston Rottier. Trouslot allowed three hits and four walks, while Rottier surrendered just two hits and struck out three in relief. Mercer led the offense with two hits and an RBI, Deagan Klimek added two hits, and Jack Vandenburg and Rottier each drove in a run.
Whitehall Unleashes Dominant Sweep Behind No-Hitter and Explosive Bats
Whitehall opened its season with a dominant doubleheader sweep of Hart, rolling to 14-1 and 16-3 victories behind overpowering pitching and a hot offense. In the opener, Evan Thomas threw a five-inning no-hitter and struck out 10 as the Vikings controlled the game from the start. At the plate, Justin Jensen, Thomas and Noah Peterson each collected two hits, while Emmett Hecht drove in four runs. Whitehall kept the pressure on in Game 2, scoring seven runs in the first inning and cruising to another mercy-rule victory. Max Krukowski led the charge with four hits, including two doubles, along with three runs scored and two RBI, while Thomas added two hits and three RBI, Jakobe Monroe had two hits, and Hunter Peterson drove in two more runs.
Other Scores:
- Spring Lake 11, Holland Christian 0, Spring Lake 10, Holland Christian 0
- Shelby 5, Evart 1, Shelby 6, Evart 4
- Grant 12, Oakridge 7, Grant 7, Oakridge 1
- Holland West Ottawa 4, Mona Shores 2
- Reeths-Puffer 15, Ottawa Hills 0
- Montague 20, Kent City 8
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