Spring is here: Take a look at opening week matchups for Gaylord-area sports teams
GAYLORD ― The snow is finally starting to clear, the weather is turning and teams around the state are gearing up to get outside. The spring sports season is finally here.
Gaylord baseball, softball and girls soccer all debuted this weekend on the road, but this week will give Gaylord-area sports fans multiple chances to get out and watch their teams for the first time in 2024.
Check out what's upcoming for the opening week of spring sports around the area:
Baseball
Gaylord
Monday, April 8 @ Charlevoix
Wednesday, April 10 vs. Sault Ste Marie
Friday, April 12 @ Grass Lake
Saturday, April 13 @ Northwest (Jackson)
Gaylord got its season going this past weekend, going 0-2 in its season-opening doubleheader at Mount Pleasant on Friday, April 5 before sweeping East Lansing on Saturday, April 6.
The Blue Devils have a jam-packed schedule this week, starting with the No. 5 ranked team in the Division 3 preseason rankings, Charlevoix, before opening their home schedule against Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday.
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Gaylord St. Mary
Tuesday, April 9 vs. Bellaire
Wednesday, April 10 @ Alcona
Saturday, April 13 @ McBain
The No. 11 ranked team in the D4 preseason rankings, GSM started the season with two tough losses down state at Adrian this past Saturday but will kick off Ski Valley play this week as they host Bellaire on Tuesday.
Johannesburg-Lewiston
Monday, April 8 vs. Mio
Tuesday, April 9 vs. Pellston
Thursday, April 11 @ Lake City
JoBurg is the only area baseball team still waiting to play their first games of the season, getting to play at home against Mio and Pellston to start the 2024 season.
Softball
Gaylord
Tuesday, April 9 @ Farmington Hill Mercy
Gaylord went 2-1 at the Freeland Invitational this weekend, falling in extra innings to a talented Clare team while beating both Heritage and Freeland by 10+ runs. They have another tough doubleheader scheduled this week, going on the road on Tuesday to face the No. 2 ranked team in Division 1, Farmington Hills Mercy.
Gaylord St. Mary
Tuesday, April 9 vs. Bellaire
Hoping to join the other two area teams in their recent success, Gaylord St. Mary will open its season with a Ski Valley Conference opponent on Tuesday as they host Bellaire.
Johannesburg-Lewiston
Monday, April 8 vs. Mio
Tuesday, April 9 vs. Pellston
Thursday, April 11 @ Lake City
After making a run to the D4 state semifinals in East Lansing last season, the JoBurg softball team is hoping to build on their success coming into 2024 while (finally) getting to play on their own home field.
They share the baseball team's schedule this week, hosting both Mio and Pellston before heading to Lake City on Thursday.
Girls soccer
Gaylord
Monday, April 8 vs. Marquette
Friday, April 12 at Big Rapids
Gaylord soccer had an up-and-down first game of the season, scoring three goals in an eventual tie with a solid Harbor Springs squad. The extra offense was a bit of a surprise, especially with star Claire Gorno slowed by an ankle injury, and the Blue Devils will hope to see more production this week against Marquette and Big Rapids.
Track and field
Gaylord
Tuesday, April 9 vs. Traverse City Central
Gaylord track and field will start the outdoor schedule on Tuesday, April 9 as they host a dual with Big North foe TC Central.
Gaylord St. Mary, Johannesburg-Lewiston
Tuesday, April 9 at Inland Lakes Ski Valley Open
Two teams with growing hopes for success this season, both JoBurg and GSM track and field teams will start their respective seasons at the Inland Lakes Open on Tuesday, April 9.
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord, St. Mary, Johannesburg-Lewiston opening week of spring sports
