The Ludington Orioles Varsity Baseball team traveled south to Montague on Tuesday night for a massive West Michigan Conference Lakes Division showdown between two unbeaten league teams.
Both squads entered the night with perfect 8-0 conference records, and the rivalry matchup lived up to the billing as the teams split a thrilling doubleheader. Ludington captured the opener 13-9 before Montague rallied late for a 6-4 victory in Game 2.
The split leaves both teams tied atop the WMC Lakes standings at 9-1 in conference play. Montague now sits at 19-4 overall while Ludington moved to 14-8 on the season.
Game One 13-9 Ludington
Ludington’s offense exploded in the opener, piling up 17 hits compared to Montague’s 11 while building an early lead they would not surrender.
Leading the Orioles attack was shortstop Zach “Moonlight” Graham, who delivered a huge performance by going 4-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored. Right fielder Tyler Albrecht finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, while pitcher Brody Kaminski helped himself offensively by going 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
Catcher Asher Forfinski added a 3-for-5 performance with two runs scored, and first baseman Gavin Cohoon finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
The Wildcats kept battling back throughout the opener and trimmed the deficit to 9-7 after three innings behind strong offensive efforts from Cooper Bradley and Karter Johnson, who each collected three hits. Chase Kurtzhal and Levi Auger both drove in two runs for Montague.
On the mound, Brody Kaminski earned the victory for Ludington after tossing 4.1 innings. He scattered nine hits while allowing nine runs, though only two were earned. He struck out one and walked one.
Kaminski was relieved by his brother, Brayten “B.K. Jr.” Kaminski, who shut the door over the final 2.2 innings. Brayten allowed just two hits and no runs while striking out one without issuing a walk.
Game Two 6-4 Montague
Game 2 appeared to be heading Ludington’s way for much of the night. Behind strong pitching from junior Karson Knowles and timely offense, the Orioles built a 4-0 lead through five innings and looked poised for the sweep.
Knowles cruised through the first five frames before Montague erupted in the sixth inning to completely swing momentum.
Cole Moss sparked the Wildcats with a key RBI triple before Levi Auger ripped a two-run double during a five-run sixth inning that pushed Montague in front 5-4. The Wildcats added an insurance run in the seventh inning.
Montague totaled eight hits in the victory, with Dylan Bailey, Moss, and Fletcher Thommen each recording two hits. Auger finished with two RBI.
Eli Petersen was outstanding on the mound for the Wildcats, tossing a complete game while allowing four runs and striking out five.
Ludington also collected eight hits in the nightcap. Catcher Asher Forfinski again led the Orioles offense by going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while second baseman Brody Kaminski finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Knowles took the tough-luck loss after pitching six innings, allowing five runs — only two earned — on eight hits while striking out three and walking one. Sophomore left-hander Gavin Cohoon worked the seventh inning in relief.
Montague’s comeback preserved the split and tightened the race atop the conference standings heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
North Muskegon Dominates Hesperia Behind Baker’s Historic Night
North Muskegon rolled to a dominant sweep over Hesperia on Tuesday, winning 20-0 in four innings and 16-0 in three innings behind overpowering pitching from Braedi Baker.
Baker was nearly untouchable all evening.
In Game 1, she fired a four-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts and no walks while helping her own cause at the plate with two triples and three RBI. The Norse offense exploded for 17 hits in the mercy-shortened contest.
Abbi Cook blasted two home runs and drove in three runs, while Alaina Smith finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Hailey Janse also went 4-for-4 with a double and five RBI.
North Muskegon kept rolling in the nightcap.
Baker allowed just one hit while striking out eight of the nine hitters she faced with no walks. During the game, she surpassed both 200 strikeouts on the season and 500 career strikeouts.
Smith stayed red hot with a 3-for-3 performance, while Baker added two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Janse and Bella Sima each contributed RBI hits.
North Muskegon improved to 18-6 overall and will next compete Saturday at the Cadillac Invitational.
Photos courtesy of Mia Milner
Other Games
- Spring Lake sweeps Unity Christian, moves into first-place tie in OK Black
Spring Lake knocked off league-leading Unity Christian 4-1 and 5-4 to pull into a tie for first place in the conference standings with Zeeland East. Maddux Kipling earned the complete-game win in the opener, while Jace Sanderlin’s momentum-shifting homer highlighted the comeback victory in Game 2. Oliver and Owen Smies each had strong offensive nights for the Lakers. - Fruitport splits with Hopkins in OK-Silver play
Fruitport earned a 4-3 victory in Game 1 before falling 8-3 in the nightcap. Wyatt Fielstra drove home the winning run in the opener, while Hudson Hazekamp struck out 11 on the mound. Trevor Rusnak collected two hits and three RBI in Game 2 for the Trojans. - Mona Shores overwhelms Muskegon in sweep
Mona Shores blanked Muskegon 19-0 in both games. Julian Thielbar threw a four-inning no-hitter with eight strikeouts in the opener, while Brayden Bennet followed with a three-inning no-hitter in Game 2. JP Charron, Jay Ammeraal, Eli Habetler, and Andy Weiss powered the offense in the opener. - Manistee sweeps Orchard View
The Mariners snapped a three-game skid with 18-1 and 8-0 wins over Orchard View. Keegon Shannon drove in four runs in Game 1, while Braylen Zimmerman earned victories in both games. Miles Joseph, Landin Sowa, and Hoyt Edmondson led the offense in the second game. - Ravenna takes two from Holton
Ravenna defeated Holton 11-0 in the opener and survived for a 6-5 win in Game 2. Fisher Mirkle paced Holton offensively with three hits and two doubles in the second game, while Joey Bayne and Riley Rull also contributed multiple hits. - Shelby keeps conference title hopes alive with sweep of Mason County Central
Shelby topped MCC 15-4 and 6-5 to remain in contention for a share of the WMC Rivers title. DayDay Garcia came through with a clutch relief appearance in Game 2, escaping a bases-loaded jam late. Trevor Weiss, Chase Simon, Eli Kelley, and Cam Smith led the Tigers offensively throughout the night.
If you are interested in more of our content, head to our website at catchmarksports.com, our YouTube, or our Facebook page! This coverage is powered by CatchMark Technologies—learn more at catchmarkit.com.
