Goodrich senior Michael McCormick is known largely for his pitching prowess.
However, in the Martians? district championship game against Bendle June 2, it was his bat that led the Martians on their way to a district championship.
McCormick, who will be attending the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship next season, hit a grand slam with one out in the first inning as part of a five-run onslaught in the opening frame. Goodrich (31-4) captured the district title with a five-inning 17-4 win against Bendle.
The Martians advanced to the regional semifinals Saturday, June 7 at Lake Fenton. Goodrich will take on Montrose in that contest. The regional title game is scheduled for later that day.
The championship game was originally scheduled for May 31 at Byron, but field conditions prompted the rescheduling of the game and relocation to Goodrich.
The Martians were able to get in their district semifinal game that day before the decision to postpone the title game. They advanced to the district championship game with an eight-inning, 4-3 win against Lake Fenton.
Although the title game was at Goodrich, the Martians were the visiting team. However, the Martians still proved to have too much firepower for Bendle to handle.
Max Bell went the distance on the mound for Goodrich, allowing two hits and four runs (only one earned) while walking four and striking out seven.
McCormick, who played first base in the title game, was far from the only Goodrich player to contribute offensively.
Shortstop Craig VanWagoner went three-for-three with two runs scored, while third baseman Kori Garman and outfielder Aaron Cheney each had two hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Second baseman Nick McDonald also had two hits and scored two runs in the contest.
In the district semifinal game, Lake Fenton jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning before Goodrich scored one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take the lead. Lake Fenton scored twice in the sixth inning to force the extra frame.
McCormick started the game and went the first 6-1/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out 11. Garman came on to pick up the win in relief, throwing 1-2/3 innings of hitless relief while striking out two.
Ahren Andrews and Brent Koss each had two hits apiece for the victorious Martians.