TRAVERSE CITY — The Charlevoix Rayders won a Division 3 baseball regional championship at the Trojan Athletic Complex in Traverse City and then earned a trip to East Lansing and the state semifinals.
The Rayders took the first game against Gladstone, 12-1, to claim a regional title and then shut out Pinconning, 5-0, in the state quarterfinal Saturday.
“Preparation is certainly paying off,” said Charlevoix coach Steve Speigl after handing the trophy off to his team. “They are excited; but with the experience they bring from being here last year, they are showing their maturity on the field.”
Last year, Charlevoix lost in the regional final to Standish-Sterling, 10-6.
“The team is enjoying having the opportunity to play the next game,” Speigl said.
Bryce Johnson was on the mound for Charlevoix in the first game against Gladstone. He allowed three hits and one run over five innings. He struck out six and walked five despite constant rain.
At the plate, Aiden Speigl led the Rayders with three hits, including a triple in the sixth inning. Charlevoix catcher Ryan Pearl scored a run on a sacrifice bunt, while Max Reynolds doubled in the top of the third to score three runs.
Charlevoix faced Pinconning in the quarterfinals and cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory.
Owen Waha earned the win for the Rayders. He struck out 10 batters and allowed three hits.
Pearl had two RBIs, while Speigl went 2 for 2 and had three stolen bases in the win.
The Rayders will now face Jackson Lumen Christi on June 13 at the Drayton McLane Baseball Stadium at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The winner will play the winner of Detroit Edison and Watervliet on June 15.
Pinconning advanced to the regional final after beating Benzie Central, 5-1.
Benzie’s Dan Wallington singled in the bottom of the fifth, knocking in a run to tie the game at 1-1.
The game went into extra innings tied at 1-1, but Pinconning would score four in the top of the ninth and hold Benzie to take the win.
“This is the second straight year we have been at this level,” said Benzie coach Rich Gottardo. “It would have been nice to get a win here today. We had our shots. That last inning got away from us.”
The Huskies had one last opportunity to tie the game with bases loaded in the ninth, but they fell short.
“The balls didn’t fall our way in that inning,” Gottardo said. “It would have been the first regional title in our school’s history. We will get back to the drawing board next season, and hopefully get back here again.”
Lane Sanchez led Benzie with two hits in the loss.
Jayden Ewing was on the mound for Benzie. He gave up two hits, and one run over seven innings. He struck out four and walked five.
Benize finished the season 21-14.
Petoskey captures first regional title in 24 years
PETOSKEY — Petoskey waited 24 years to bring home a Division 2 regional championship trophy. They accomplished that feat by holding No.5-ranked Saginaw Swan Valley to one hit in their 2-1 win Saturday.
“You have to give Swan Valley a lot of credit, they had a heck of a season. They’ve been ranked in the top five all season long,” Petoskey head coach Shawn Racignol said. “To go in and one hit them and knock them off, that’s a big win for our program and a step up for our entire organization.”
The Vikings had a chance with two outs in the seventh inning with a runner on third, but pitcher Peyton Harmon got out of the jam. Harmon collected the win after throwing for seven innings, allowing one run and striking out two while walking one.
The Northmen had themselves a widely successful season despite falling 11-5 to No.15-ranked Spring Lake in the Division 2 state quarterfinals.
Petoskey captured their fifth straight district title this season and claimed their first regional title since 2000. Petoskey has a loaded underclassmen roster and is graduating just two seniors. Racignol can only see Saturday being a building block of what the program can be in the years to come.
“In our program, we have the expectation that we are going to make a run every year. That’s just what we expect from our program and our kids,” Racignol said. “We tried to build our schedule to be ready for June, and this year was no exception. The guys played their best baseball in the last 12 games of the season.”
The Northmen close out their season at 27-14.
Glen Lake loses in regional finals
MUSKEGON — The Glen Lake boys varsity baseball team had themselves a heck of a season despite losing 7-0 in the Division 4 regional championship game against Muskegon Western Michigan Christian on Saturday in Muskegon.
The Lakers only got production from Peter Gelsinger as they were held to one hit throughout the game. Cooper Bufalini took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking one.
Glen Lake wraps up their season at 27-4.
Onaway 3
Inland Lakes 1
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs end their season 28-4.