Laker Baseball Clinches Playoff Berth

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Mid Michigan College baseball team took three of four from Bay College this past weekend to clinch a third straight playoff berth for the Lakers and the first postseason bid under head coach Danny Smith. 

After losing the opening game of the series on Saturday, Mid rallied to win the next three and secured their bid to the NJCAA Region 12 D2 Opening Round. The three straight losses eliminated Bay from postseason contention. 

Game 1:

Mid struggled offensively in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The Lakers tallied just four hits in the defeat, while the visiting Norse ran away with a 9-0 victory. 

Brennan Hallman, Chris Williams, Trey Boven, and Caleb Thomas each recorded a hit. David Wheeler took the loss on the mound despite striking out 10 batters in 5.2 innings. 

Game 2:

The Lakers woke up in the second game on Saturday and earned an 8-3 victory over Bay. After holding the Norse scoreless in the top of the first, Mid scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning. The visitors got a run back in the top of the fourth, however Mid blew the game open with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. 

Justin Esch was 1-of-2 at the plate with a solo home run. Eddie McDonald went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three stolen bases, while Jayden Clark also drove in two runs. On the mound, Jacob Kowalski threw a complete game. He allowed just three runs while striking out four Bay hitters. 

Game 3: 

Both teams returned to Mount Pleasant High School on Sunday for the final two games of the regular season. Mid knew they needed to win one game to clinch a postseason spot, and they left no doubt as they won 7-6 in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader. 

Boven, Esch, and Nic Stimac each registered an RBI. Thomas drove in two. Donovan Heugh was outstanding on the mound for the Lakers, pitching all 7.0 innings and striking out seven. Heugh even struck out the side to end the game and clinch the Lakers playoff berth. 

Game 4:

With nothing left to play for except pride at this point, the Lakers won the final game of the weekend 8-5 over Bay. Mid trailed 5-4 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, but scored four runs to take the lead and hang on for the win. 

Hallman led Mid offensively, going 2-of-3 with a home run and four RBIs. Esch also had an RBI, while Isiah Stoy and Tommy Crowley each posted an RBI. Luke Sherman got the start on the mound and struck out three batters in 3.2 innings. He was relieved by Jordan Nelson, who earned the win after pitching the final 3.1 innings and striking out five. 

UP NEXT:

Mid will begin postseason play on Thursday at Cuyahoga Community College. Games 1 and 2 of the best of three series will both be played on Thursday, with the if necessary game 3 on Friday. All games will be played on Cuyahoga's West Campus at Ron Mottl Field in Parma, Ohio. First pitch of the series is set for 4:00 PM.