MARSH FIELD — When you talk about rivalries in West Michigan, Fruitport vs. Spring Lake deserves to be in the conversation. Even though they no longer share a conference, these two programs seem to find each other on the schedule year after year—and when they do, it always feels bigger than just another game.
The best rivalry games, regardless of the sport, tend to follow the same script: high stakes, packed stands, and two programs going all-out with something on the line. Think Michigan vs. Ohio State—two powerhouses going head-to-head, fighting for bragging rights and more. Friday night’s matchup at Marsh Field? It checked all the boxes.
The first few innings were quiet—scoreless baseball through three, not much noise from the bats. In the bottom of the 4th and the top of the 5th, both squads would find a run. It wasn’t until the bottom of the 5th that the action finally sparked.
Spring Lake looked ready to seize control. Behind some timely execution—a run-scoring groundout from Max Feltner and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Owen Smies—the Lakers posted three runs in the inning. Momentum had clearly shifted, and with just six outs to go, they held a 3-1 edge and looked to be in command.
But Fruitport wasn’t going down without a fight.
In the top of the seventh, the Trojans flipped the script. Ryan Bosch delivered a game-tying RBI single, Dexter Lillmars followed with another clutch knock, and Trevor Rusnak ripped a double to left to bring home two more. Just like that, the game flipped—Spring Lake’s lead turned into a 5-3 deficit in a matter of minutes.
The Lakers had one final chance to answer in the bottom of the seventh, but the bats went quiet, and the comeback bid came up empty.
Bosch was the engine for Fruitport on both sides of the ball. The junior went the distance on the mound, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out nine. At the plate, he finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in a big-time performance.
Rusnak added two hits and two RBIs of his own, while Lillmars contributed a key hit and run scored in the final push.
Spring Lake was led by Jaden Core, who finished 2-for-3 with a double, while Feltner drove in a pair of runs to account for most of the Lakers’ offense.
Fruitport improves to 15-11 with the rivalry win. Spring Lake moves to 14-12 and will try to bounce back on Monday against Holland.
Box Score – Fruitport
Batting
Ryan Bosch: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2B
Trevor Rusnak: 2-3, 2 RBI, BB, 2B
Dexter Lillmars: 1-3, RBI, R, BB
Pitching
R. Bosch (W): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 9 K
Box Score – Spring Lake
Batting
- Jaden Core: 2-3, 2B, R
- Max Feltner: 0-3, 2 RBI
- Owen Smies: 0-3, RBI, SF
Pitching
- M. Kipling: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
- O. Smies: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 2 K
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