The Goodrich baseball team is winding up its regular season the same way it started the season ? with plenty of wins.
The host Martians swept a twin bill against Byron May 19, winning the opener 4-1 and the nightcap 3-2. The Martians remain undefeated in Genesee Area Conference Red Division play at 17-0 and have a 25-3 overall record.
Goodrich coach Bob Foreback said he is pleased with all aspects of the team’s play except for one ? their baserunning, which he said is a weakness they will have to correct before the start of districts.
‘We’re making mistakes we’ll have to straighten out,? he said. ‘We’re giving away an inning a game because of baserunning errors.?
Goodrich scored one run in the second inning of the opener and three runs in the fifth inning. That would prove to be all the support senior pitcher Michael McCormick would need, as he went the distance while striking out eight to pick up the win. Nick McDonald went two-for-three to pace the Goodrich offense.
In the nightcap, Byron would score twice in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead, but the Martians would answer with one run each in the fourth and sixth innings to tie the contest.
In the seventh, Kirk Elsworth led off with a double. Kori Garman then hit the ball up the middle, and the Byron fielder committed an error, allowing Elsworth to score the winning run.
Garman picked up the win in relief of McCormick, who went the first three innings. Garman pitched four shutout innings and struck out five.
Max Bell paced the Martians with a three-for-three performance in the nightcap, while McDonald went two-for-four and McCormick two-for-three.
The Martians return to action with a pre-district game May 27 at Byron, beginning at 2 p.m. They host Bendle May 28 at 4 p.m. before opening districts against host Lake Fenton May 31. The Martians also host a makeup game June 3 against Lakeville.