Petoskey Majors, Minors earn District 13 titles; Majors host states next

ROGERS CITY — It’s been a busy month of July for the Petoskey Little League All-Stars.

And, it’s not over yet.

While one team did have its 2023 summer season come to a close over the weekend, two others are pressing on to the state tournament after District 13 championships.

The Petoskey All-Star Minors earned a 3-0 run through its district tourney to advance to a Birmingham hosted state tournament, then the Petoskey Majors also won a title with a chance to play in a hosted state tournament on the line.

Unfortunately, the run for the Petoskey All-Star Juniors closed at the hands of Negaunee in a sectional tournament in Pellston on Friday and Saturday, concluding the Juniors’ season.

Hosted LL State Tournament up next for Majors 

A run through their Rogers City hosted District 13 tournament brings the Petoskey Majors (age 10-12) a hosted opportunity for the state tournament.

Things looked promising right from the start for the Majors once districts began, with a 33-2 victory over North Emmet kicking things off.

They then earned a 17-0 win over St. Ignace, defeated Rogers City in a 13-2 final, then defeated Tri-Rivers in a 10-0 final.

In the championship game, Petoskey then topped Rogers City once again, 10-2.

In that championship, Ryan Holt came through with a double, triple and three RBIs to get Petoskey rolling, while Wilson Blake and Jackson Kanine each had an RBI single. Michael Parker also drove in a run.

Cam Lorence then struck out 10 across five innings to earn the win and Jack Racignol struck out two in an inning of relief.

For the state tournament ahead, Petoskey will host games at Bates Park, welcoming in 16 teams from across the state.

A Thursday, July 20 opening ceremony at the Emmet County Fairgrounds will take place, with games then beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Pool play will be played through Sunday, with the top two teams then advancing out of each pool into a single-elimination round on Monday and Tuesday. The Majors State Championship game will then be played on Wednesday, July 26.

Petoskey will play in pool C of the tournament, with a 2 p.m. Friday opener against Traverse City. Petoskey will also meet the Beach All-Stars out of District 12 at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, then cap pool play at 4:30 p.m., Sunday against Midland.

The winner of the Majors State Title will advance to a Great Lakes Regional, where a spot at the Little League Worlds Series in Williamsport will be on the line.

Led by coaches Jared Urman, Keith Young and Shaun Osborne, the complete team for the Majors includes: Jace Aldridge, Wilson Blake, Colt Forbes, Ryan Holt, Jackson Kanine, Connor Kasiborski, Carter Kolinski, Cameron Lorence, Max Osborne, Michael Parker, Jack Racignol, Jonny Urman and Owen Young.

Minors punch ticket to Birmingham 

Following the lead of those older than them, the Petoskey Minors (age 8-10) made it a quick run through their District 13 tournament.

The Minors never allowed a run to cross the plate by their opponents, winning games of 19-0 against Rogers City, 11-0 over North Emmet, then again, 15-0 against North Emmet.

In that championship game, the Minors were led by Curtis Kolinski with a 2 for 2 game that included four RBIs. Caleb Royle also drove in two runs, as did Hunter Swadling.

Matthew Harrington earned the three-inning victory on the mound, striking out seven with just a lone hit allowed.

While it’s not yet known who all Petoskey will meet in Birmingham, they’ll open play at 9 a.m., Friday, July 28 against District 6. They’ll also play District 4 at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 29, then finish pool play against Ash Carleton from District 16 at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, July 30.

The complete Minors team includes: Matthew Harrington, Danny O’Donnell, Drew Henning, Gabe Wilson, Blake Kasiborski, Bryce Wilcox, Liam Young, Curtis Kolinski, Caleb Royle, Genevieve Olson, Hunter Swadling, Henry Colby and Carson Green.

The Minors are managed by Brian Kasiborski and coached by Colin Green and Keith Young.

Petoskey Juniors take 13-inning defeat 

With a chance to advance to the state tournament on the line, the Petoskey Juniors gave everything they had and then some over the weekend.

Meeting Negaunee in Pellston in a best of three series, the Juniors slugged it out with the best of the Upper Peninsula for 13 innings before falling on Friday in a 10-9 final.

The game sat tied at 5-5 after seven innings, then again 6-6 after 10, with Negaunee answering Petoskey each time. It was also tied at 9-9 after 12, before Negaunee then plated one final run in the 13th following three straight walks.

Brock Jeffers singled and doubled and drove in a run, Dom Olson had two RBIs and Daniel Urman singled twice and drove in a run. Urman went six innings and struck out seven, then Jeffers went five and a third and struck out 13 batters.

In the second game, which had to be moved to Saturday after essentially playing two games in one Friday, Petoskey took a 7-1 loss and ended the season.

Lukas Nemec doubled and Tate Russell drove in the lone run for Petoskey. Nemec also pitched and struck out eight.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey Majors, Minors earn District 13 titles; Majors host states next