Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
WHITEHALL — When CatchMark SportsNet covers baseball or softball in our “Game of the Week” series, it’s two for the price of one.
Whitehall and Montague baseball fans were treated to a pair of one-run games Tuesday, as the host Vikings won the opener, 4-3, in walk-off fashion and the Wildcats took the nightcap, 3-2.
The split leaves Whitehall 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division, while Montague is 8-7 and 4-2, respectively.
Both teams are chasing Oakridge (6-3, 6-0) in the division. Whitehall has a makeup game at Oakridge Thursday, while Montague hosts Oakridge later in the season.
CatchMark SportsNet produced a livestream of Game 1 between the Vikings and Wildcats Tuesday. You can watch a replay here:
Here are more details and notables from the Whitehall-Montague games:
- In Game 1, Ryne Christensen’s grounder to the right side scored a hustling Kyle Stratton from third base as Whitehall won in walk-off fashion for the second time in three contests. On Saturday, the Vikings beat visiting Vicksburg by an identical 4-3 score when Jaden Brinkert’s sacrifice fly scored Christensen with the winning run.
- In the first game Tuesday, Stratton went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two stolen bases. The junior also was the starting pitcher. The right-hander got a no-decision after allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings of work.
- Stratton was selected by CatchMark’s Scott DeCamp as Player of the Game for his overall performance in both contests. Watch the TikTok here:
- Whitehall’s Isaac VanAmberg went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Game 1.
- Whitehall’s Landon Howe doubled and drove in a run in the first game.
- Christensen and Brock Morningstar also had hits for the Vikings in Game 1.
- Kade Johnson pitched well for Montague in the first game but took the loss. The senior right-hander allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
- Bryton Belinger went 3-for-4 for Montague in Game 1.
- Owen Petersen doubled and drove in a run for the Wildcats in the first game, while Johnson and Nick Moss also had hits.
- In Game 2, Moss came on in relief to earn the pitching victory for Montague. The senior right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits in two innings with one strikeout and no walks. Offensively, Moss had a hit and scored two runs.
- Johnson tripled and drove in a run for Montague in the second game.
- Belinger, Kellan Francis and Ryver Jarka also had hits for the Wildcats in Game 2.
- Owen Petersen pitched a strong game for Montague in the nightcap. The senior left-hander allowed no runs on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in five innings.
- In Game 2, Morningstar paced Whitehall offensively with a pair of hits.
- Stratton, VanAmberg and Brinkert also had hits for the Vikings in the second game.
- Christensen took the pitching loss for Whitehall in Game 2. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings.
Hear from Whitehall and Montague coaches and players in the video below:
