Inland Lakes baseball, softball return to action, sweep Mancelona in Ski Valley contests
INDIAN RIVER – The Inland Lakes baseball team doesn't lose too often.
But sometimes, a defeat might be a blessing in disguise.
One week after dropping their first Ski Valley game in three seasons, the Bulldogs responded accordingly by cruising to a conference sweep over Mancelona with 3-0 and 18-3 victories on Friday.
“Everybody needs a little humble pie every once in a while, and I think that (Bellaire loss) sent a message,” Inland Lakes coach Josh Vieau said after the game one win. “Our bats are a little cold right now, so we’re trying to just grind out at-bats. Baseball’s a grind, and you’ve got to continue to do it, and they’re doing a fine job.”
As dominant on the mound as he’s ever been, I-L senior pitcher Connor Wallace delivered a six-inning, no-hit gem in the opener, striking out 10 batters.
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“He looked really sharp; he pounded the zone,” Vieau said of Wallace. “When you throw strikes and you pitch with defense, he does a fine job. You don’t have to worry about him being ready for a game.”
While the Bulldogs (18-1, 9-1 Ski Valley) didn’t manufacture as many runs as they would’ve liked, they still did enough offensively to capture game one. Wallace finished with a triple and three runs scored, while Aidan Fenstermaker had two hits. Ty Kolly also chipped in with a hit, an RBI and a run scored.
Thankfully for the Bulldogs, their bats warmed up in the second game, which saw them build a huge lead and never look back. Inland Lakes was fueled by Fenstermaker, who finished with three hits – including a bases-clearing triple – five RBIs and two runs scored.
Right behind him were Wallace (triple, two RBIs, four runs) and Wyatt Hanel (two RBIs), who registered two hits apiece. Other Bulldogs picking up hits were Cash DePauw (double, two RBIs, two runs), Payton Teuthorn (two RBIs, run) and Kolly (RBI, three runs). Logan McMullen had an RBI and scored a run.
Fenstermaker also earned the win on the mound, striking out three in a 1 2/3 innings of work. Elijah Perkins (strikeout) and Hanel (three strikeouts) also threw for Inland Lakes.
Grant, Bulldogs also earn two Ski Valley wins
Like I-L baseball, the softball Bulldogs came up with a sweep over Mancelona, winning 7-1 and 8-7 on Friday.
Leading the Bulldogs (11-7, 6-4 Ski Valley) in game one was senior Maggie Grant, who blasted a 3-run homer. Grant was also the winning pitcher, striking out four, walking two and allowing just one hit in six innings.
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Erica Taglauer finished with two singles and three RBIs, and Brooklyn LaBrecque doubled. Alexis Langworthy, Eva Carper and Myla Thompson chipped in with a single apiece.
LaBrecque’s double, single and four RBIs lifted the Bulldogs in game two, while Jenna Stubbs doubled and had two RBIs, Lexi Kovtun doubled and knocked in a run, and Taglauer and Carper each singled.
Grant earned the pitching win again, striking out six and scattering three hits. Kovtun, who started the game, was injured during a collision while sliding into third base and didn’t return to the game.
"The girls played two great games tonight. We are very proud of them," Inland Lakes coach Krissi Thompson said.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Inland Lakes capture baseball, softball sweeps over Mancelona
