Hartland, Howell baseball squads each win twice
ADRIAN –
The Hartland baseball team, which ended Friday's play trailing Milford 5-1 in the second game of a doubleheader, finished the weekend with a pair of wins at the Adrian Invitational on Saturday.
The Eagles (7-5) beat Clinton 13-1 in their first game of the day. Max Kendricks, a freshman called up Friday, got the win, throwing a 4-hitter and striking out six. Alex Vydick and Gary Turnbull each had three hits in the game.
In the second game, Hartland downed Adrian 7-4.
Patrick Evans pitched a complete game for Hartland. His cause was helped by Hunter DeLanoy, who had three hits, and Thomas Rivet, who added two more.
Lake Orion Invitational
Howell 12, Farmington 3
Howell 5, Lake Orion 1
LAKE ORION – Garrett Styczynski threw a five-hit complete game for the Highlanders (12-4) against Lake Orion.
"He hasn't thrown a lot," Howell co-coach Mike Weatherly said. "We gave him the ball and he threw a complete game. He was phenomenal."
The Highlanders put the game out of reach with two out in the seventh, scoring three runs to make it 5-0. Howell was led by Austin Palo, who had three hits, and Riley Bennett, who had two.
Earlier, Howell rolled past Farmington, 12-3.
Caleb Balgaard drove in four runs, including a home run, as the Highlanders scored 10 runs in the second inning to put it out of reach.
Justin Mercer had three hits, and Spencer Ford pitched six innings to get the win.
Northville 6-6, Brighton 3-7
NORTHVILLE – After a sluggish performance in the first game, the Bulldogs responded to a talk from coach Charlie Christner to gain the split in the nightcap.
"It was our third doubleheader in a row, and I didn't think we came out ready to go," he said. "We came out better in the second game."
Zach Vitkuske threw a complete game in the nightcap for Brighton, which broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the fourth inning.
In the opener, Brighton led 2-1 in the top of the fourth before Northville took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning.
Siena Heights 15-14, Cleary 7-12
ADRIAN – Andi Dragonetti homered twice for Cleary (9-21), including a grand slam in the opener.
Ashley Valley and Amanda Steig also homered for the Cougars in the doubleheader.
"We hit the ball really hard, but they did, too," Cleary coach Tim Bailey said.
The Cougars meet Bethel College at Parker Middle School on Monday.
Oakland City 5-3, Cleary 3-2, second game 10 innings
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. – The Cougars (17-24) made a bid for a split in the nightcap, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
But Oakland City loaded the bases with no one out in the 10th and got a walk from starter Jack Ropp to score the winning run.
In the opener, the Cougars got to within a run, 4-3, in the sixth inning, but could get no closer.
"We played two awesome games that you hate to lose but respect the effort and heart your kids gave," Cleary coach Karl Kling said.
The losses extended Cleary's losing streak to seven.