Grand Rapids Christian edges Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 2-1, to win D-2 title
EAST LANSING — Grand Rapids Christian held on in a nailbiter against Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett for the Michigan high school baseball Division 2 state title.
The combination of Ty Uchman and Cam Seth on the mound kept the Knights scoreless through the first four innings, and Seth's early bases-clearing triple provided all the offense needed to secure the 2-1 win.
"We've been in a lot of close games," Christian head coach Brent Gates said. "Everyone comes after us and we sort of embraced it. These guys have put in unbelievable work, a lot of them in three years with us, the work they've put in, not just in the season, but in the offseason. People don't see it, and no one deserves this more than this group right here."
DIVISION 3: Bridgman takes title with 7-1 win over Algonac behind Chuck Pagel
MICK McCABE: Novi baseball coach knew Uli Fernsler was the man after seeing just one pitch
Christian struck first in the bottom of the first.
Uchman reached on a throwing error and advanced to second. He then advanced to third on another error. Jason Issacs walked to put runners on first and third and then Seth brought them home, launching a ball over the right fielder's head and onto the hilly part of the outfield before diving safely into third for a triple.
Liggett threatened in the top of the second with two singles from Jake Martin and Neil Murphy and a walk to load the bases with two outs, but Uchman recovered to get the final out.
The Knights finally got on the board in the top of the fifth.
Jarren Purify dove safely into second base with a double, followed by a Reggie Sharpe single to the right side, to put runners on first and third with no outs against Uchman. Christian turned to Seth, who started the game at first base, on the mound.
MICK McCABE: Mom is secret behind Michigan prep baseball standout Jarren Purify's rise to stardom
Seth held onto the lead, though Oliver Service grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Purify, cutting Christian's lead to one.
Seth threw a perfect sixth for the Eagles, however, with third baseman Cannon Paul managing to throw out the last runner after recovering from a slight bobble. Liggett pitcher Preston Barr answered by retiring three straight Eagles batters in the bottom of the frame, setting up the Knights' final opportunity in the seventh.
With two outs, Service worked a walk, and then stole second to get into scoring position and setting up a matchup of Seth vs. Barr.
"We've got guys that aren't afraid of the big moment," Gates said. "We've got a lot of guys that have played in big games, played in big situations. It's one inning at a time, you try to win."
This time, Seth prevailed, getting Barr to ground out to brother Parker Seth at second base for the title.
"Ty was unbelievable, gave us exactly what we needed on the mound, and then Cam came in and shut the door," Gates said.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school baseball final: G.R. Christian beats Liggett in D-2
