MANISTEE — Unrelenting describes both the northern Michigan weather and the Manistee Saints entering the midseason Northern Michigan National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournament.
The red-hot Saints hosted the two-day tournament starting on Friday at Reitz Park. The Saints had a 14-2 record in the Gratiot County Baseball League and rolled into the midseason tournament on a four-game win streak, which saw them outscore their opponents 65-7.
Manistee hoped the momentum would carry on in Friday’s set of contests. However, the team ran into a buzzsaw of a pitcher as the Midland Tribe’s Henry Stempky struck out 14 Saints batters, allowing just 5 hits in Midland’s 2-0 win. The shutout of Manistee was the team’s first game of the year scoring 4 runs or fewer.
The backend of the doubleheader saw the Saints lose in heartbreaking fashion 5-4 against the Battle Creek Shamrocks. Manistee fell just short despite the club’s 2-run ninth inning.
“We were on a roll, but we’re having a little bit of trouble here in the tournament,” said Saints general manager Phil Kluber. The GM has been with the team as a player, coach or general manager for the past 63 years.
Heading into Saturday’s single-elimination portion of the tournament, Manistee faced the Shamrocks in a rematch. Kyle Gorski toed the rubber for the Saints, giving up 3 first-inning runs. The team put 2 runs on the board in response to the Shamrock offense, but trailed for the remainder of the contest as the Saints lost 7-3.
Gorski completed 2 1/3 innings while giving up 5 earned runs along with 10 hits. Dylan Bates closed out the contest throwing 3 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 earned run.
“This was a great time for us to compete, we just didn’t show up. We pitched too many pitches right across the middle,” said player/manager Lucas Richardson, who scored 1 run.
Lucas Weinert’s plate performance, 1 for 2 with 2 runs batted in, was not enough as the rest of the club provided just 2 additional hits. Dace Ferden went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI.
After a strong regular-season performance — and despite a rough tournament — Saints’ fans found comfort knowing their team is available to fans at any time.
“I enjoy it. Free game, free parking and good food. I think it’s a gift,” said longtime fan, 50/50 raffle leader and Saints Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Fragomeli.
The Saints clinched first place in the Gratiot County league and will finish out the regular season — while making up previously weather-related postponements — and are looking to refine their offensive game.
“(We’re) going to grind away and try to win out. I tell the guys that the Saints and the summer league is here to make you better,” said Richardson.