Thanks to some solid pitching and a big day at the plate by Kirk Elsworth, the Goodrich baseball team advanced to regionals.
The Martians captured their district’s championship with a 9-2 win against Durand in the championship game June 5, improving their overall record to 32-8.
Earlier in the day, the Martians captured an 11-3 win against Byron in the district semifinal.
The Martians prepared themselves to take on Swan Valley in regional competition Saturday, June 12 at Saginaw Nouvel High School. Helmock and Nouvel are also in the Martians? region.
Swan Valley won the Division 3 district championship three years ago, but Goodrich coach Bob Foreback said the regional crown is ‘up for grabs.?
‘We should fare okay, but we’ll need a couple breaks,? he said. ‘I like our chances if we keep hitting the ball like we have been.?
In the championship game at districts, Goodrich took command of the game with four runs in the second inning and one run each in the first and third innings. Elsworth tripled and went 3-for-4 with three RBI, while Craig VanWagoner went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
Nick Wesener picked up the win with six innings of solid pitching, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out seven.
Against Byron in the semifinals, the Martians scored four runs each in the second and fourth innings, as well as three in the sixth inning, to take the win.
Dusty Bourassa proved to be a key performer for the Martians, hitting a home run and going 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored. Elsworth went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Max Bell earned the win for Goodrich, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out eight.
Goodrich’s baseball team also added another Genesee Area Conference Red Division championship to its trophy case.
On Wednesday, June 2, the Martians defeated host Mt. Morris 2-0 to clinch at least a share of the GAC Red title, its third in a row and eighth league crown in the past nine years.
Bell outdueled the Panthers? Scott Roy in helping the Martians clinch the title. Bell slammed the door on the Panthers, allowing only one hit and striking out 13.
Bell and Nick McDonald, the Martians? only seniors, have now played on three straight league championship teams. McDonald notched one of four Goodrich hits against Roy.