Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
MONTAGUE — Montague and Oakridge have featured two of the more consistent baseball programs in the West Michigan Conference over the years.
Because the league expanded and split into two seven-school divisions this academic year didn’t mean things would change for the Wildcats and Eagles. They’re still at the top — this time, together.
The baseball teams split their WMC Lakes doubleheader, with visiting Oakridge winning 4-3 in Game 1 and Montague rebounding 12-1 in a five-inning Game 2. Consequently, the Eagles and Wildcats share the divisional title with 9-3 WMC Lakes records.
It’s the third-straight year that Montague has clinched the conference title on its home field.
Here are more details and notables from Tuesday’s doubleheader:
- In Game 1, Oakridge’s Brody Jennings won a pitcher’s duel against Montague’s Kade Johnson. Jennings allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game effort. Johnson allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits with eight strikeouts and no walks in another complete-game performance.
- In the first game, Oakridge built a 3-0 lead through 4 1/2 innings. Montague pulled within 3-1 in the fifth and 4-3 in the sixth, but the Eagles put it away.
- Matt Danicek led Oakridge offensively in Game 1, going 3-for-4 and scoring a run.
- Jennings was 2-for-3 in the first game with an RBI and a run scored in Game 1.
- Caleb Osinski drove in a run for the Eagles in the first game.
- Bryton Belinger doubled and drove in a run for Montague in Game 1.
- Johnson and Michael Moore had hits and scored runs for the Wildcats in the first game.
- In Game 2, Montague wiped out an early 1-0 deficit with an 11-run third inning.
- Johnson and Nick Moss led the Wildcats with three hits apiece in the second game. Johnson tripled, drove in three and scored a run. Moss drove in two and scored two runs.
- Chase Gowell went 2-for-4, including a triple, and he drove in one and scored two in Game 2 for Montague.
- Moore and Kellan Francis had two hits apiece for the Wildcats in Game 2.
- Brothers Izac Jarka and Ryver Jarka both had a hit, drove in two runs and scored a run for Montague.
- Owen Petersen earned the pitching win for Montague in Game 2. The left-hander allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work.
- Danicek, Jennings and Evan Miller had hits for Oakridge in the nightcap.
- Danicek took the Game 2 loss for the Eagles. He allowed five runs on six hits with no strikeouts and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.
- Montague is 18-12 overall on the season now, while Oakridge is 14-12.
