04-26-2018 Tri-City Area Sports

Panther Relays

Spring finally showed up and it was just in time for Friday’s Watervliet Relays.  Fifteen teams converged on Panther Stadium for the 46th annual running of the relays.

AIR MARSHALL… Watervliet’s Klayton Marshall flew high above the bar Friday during the pole vault competition at the Watervliet Relays. Marshall cleared 11’ on this jump. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

In the men’s division, Berrien Springs topped all schools with 114 points. Coloma took second with 65. Watervliet finished with 19 points, good for eighth place, while Hartford took ninth with 17 points.

The Comet relay teams were fleet of feet, as they broke two long-held Panther Relay records.

Caleb Ellis, Sincere Taylor, Josh Young, and Derek Plitt teamed up in the 800-meter relay and put the old record to rest. The foursome combined for a time of 1:31.12, which beat the 1981 record set by Covert. The old record was 1:31.9.

The super-fast squad also outpaced their opponents in the Panther Relay, beating the 1980 record. In that event, the teams are required to run 200, 300, 100, and 400 meters. Coloma’s time of 2:02.31 topped Watervliet’s previously unbeaten record time of 2:02.5.

Ellis, Taylor, Young, and Plitt also won the 1600-meter relay with a time of 3:31.01.

Coloma’s Jonah Jones and Cole Alsup combined to win the discus event with 238’ 8”.

Hartford’s Carter Gendron and Randy Ramirez joined forces to finish third in the pole vault event. The duo combined for a jump height of 18’6”.

The Indian 4×100 relay team of Robert Ledesma, Riley Traver, Xavier Salinas, and Aaron Sinclair finished second overall with a time of 46.91 seconds.

Ulises Bacilio, Traver, Roy Rodriguez, and Ledesma teamed up for the Panther Relay.

For the ladies, Berrien Springs and Hopkins tied for top honors with 88 points.  Hartford finished fifth overall with 33 points. Watervliet earned seven points to finish in 11th place, and Coloma took 12th with six points.

Pultz records second clean sheet of the season as Hartford shuts out Comstock 4-0

Hartford Indian keeper Mary Pultz continues to impress this season. Her strong skills in the net helped Hartford shut out Comstock Thursday, April 19.

Hartford jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half.  The Indian tribe notched another two goals in the second half to seal the victory.

SHOULDERING THROUGH… Coloma freshman first baseman Kevin Hearn stretches towards the throw from home Thursday in the fifth inning of the Comets’ first game against Martin. Although the runner was safe, Martin was held scoreless in the inning. Coloma won the contest on a big six-run sixth inning. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Scoring for Hartford was Abigail Lopez; she had two goals.  Mercedes Requenes scored one goal and had one assist.  Jessica Cardoso also netted one goal.  Monserrat Requenes was credited with one assist.

Pultz saved 12 shots during the contest.

Hartford softball bounces Bangor in a big way

The Lady Indians of the diamond got two big wins over Southwest 10 conference foe Bangor Thursday, April 19.

Hartford won the first card of the doubleheader by a whopping 22-5 score.

Megan Nelson led the way for Hartford with an inside park home run; she also scored six runs in the mercy-ruled game. Lexi Griffith was perfect from the plate; she was three for three and tallied four RBIs.

The Indians opened the scoring blitz with 10 runs in the first and followed that with 12 additional runs in the second inning.

Lainey Goodson was the winning pitcher for Hartford.

Bangor scored five runs in the third inning.

Ban     0   0   5           5    5    0

Har    10  12  x         22   21   3

In the late contest, Hartford hitting got the job done once again as the Indians notched their second win of the season 12-11.

Bangor led 3-0 after the first inning, but Hartford responded with three runs in the second to tie the game.

The Indians took the lead in the fourth inning and held off a surging Viking squad, putting up a four-run, do or die seventh inning for the win.

Nelson took the mound for Hartford. She picked up the win, while Goodson came on in relief and recorded the save.

Hartford was led by Jaelyne Galvan, Nelson, and Goodson at the plate.

Ban   3 0 0 | 0 1 4 | 3     11  15  4

Har   0 3 0 | 2 3 0 | 4     12  13  2

Coloma softball remains undefeated after shellacking Martin

The Coloma varsity softball squad continues to put up big runs at the plate and precise pitching from Skylar Crisenbery and Jaidyn Hutsell.

The team took on Martin Thursday, April 19 and won both contests by overwhelming margins.

In game one, Crisenbery improved to 3-0 on the season after she threw a three run, five-hit game. She struck out nine as Coloma won 13-3 in five innings.

Megan Neubecker hit a double and scored three runs for Coloma.  Morgan Wagner stroked three singles. Kayla Yore scored two runs and belted a triple.

Mar   3 0  0  | 0 0          3   5  1

Col    0 1 10 | 2 x        13  11 3

In the evening contest, Hutsell pitched her way to her third win of the season. She allowed one run on two hits and struck out six batters.

Coloma needed only one inning to seal the game. The Lady Comets scored 13 runs in the first inning to set Martin reeling.

Coming up big at the plate for Coloma was Neubecker, who scored five runs and hit a home run. Hutsell hit two singles and a double and scored two RBIs.

Wagner and Yore hit two singles and a double apiece. Megan Koenigshof tallied three singles.

Coloma improves to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

TWO TIMES THE TALENT… Juan Sandoval begins his sprint around the track after taking the baton from Hartford Indian teammate Robert Ledesma during the running of the 4×200 meter relay at Watervliet Friday. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Mar   1  0 0 | 0           1   2   3

Col   13 0 0 | 3          16  16  0

Cold streak can’t snap Watervliet soccer’s spirit

With a Michigan climate that failed to see spring as of Wednesday, April 18, it was anyone’s guess as to what weather conditions would be in play at game time as the Watervliet Panthers faced Saugatuck.

It was cold. It was raining. It was snowing. It was miserable, but the game must go on. The Lady Panthers focused on the contest at hand and secured a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Vicky Smith scored the game’s first goal, almost mid-way through the first half.

Saugatuck tallied their first score near the end of the period, as the teams headed into intermission knotted up at one apiece.

Smith scored again early in the second period to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

Saugatuck responded with a goal to tie the contest at 2-2.

It was Emma Kraklau who drilled the final kick into the net, as Watervliet won 3-2.

Smith recorded one assist.  Alex Hays, in as keeper for the Lady Panthers, did an impressive job in the net.

With the victory, Watervliet moves to 2-1 overall and is 1-0 in the SAC – Lakeshore Division.

Coloma soccer shuts out Schoolcraft

Coloma girls’ varsity soccer scored their first conference shutout of the season over Schoolcraft by a score of 7-0 Wednesday, April 18.

SCOTT’S GOT IT… Coloma’s Samantha Scott clears the bar in the high jump Friday at the Watervliet Relays. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Katelyn Johnson gave her best effort in the form of three goals. Emma Vandermolen scored two goals. Samantha Trousdale and Grace Gagliardo netted one goal each.

Coloma had 20 shots on goal, and Schoolcraft was limited to one.

Emma Watson was in as keeper for Coloma. She recorded one save.

Trousdale was credited with four assists.  Gagliardo had two assists. Mackenzie Ecker tallied one assist.

The Comets are 3-0 on the season.

Coloma baseball pitching strikes out Martin

Coloma baseball struck two W’s in the win column Thursday, April 19 as they beat Martin 6-0 and 11-2.

Calvin Starnes earned his second victory of the season. He pitched five innings and allowed just four hits. Starnes struck out 10 in his impressive effort from the mound.

The game was knotted up until the sixth inning when the business end of Coloma’s bats went to work.

Nick Eastman finished the game on the mound for Coloma. His two innings of work netted three strikeouts.

Coloma’s Nathan Wilder hit two singles.

Mar   0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0     0  4  3

Col   0 0 0 | 0 0 6 | x     6  7  3

In the second game, Coloma got on the board early with two runs in the first inning.

Hunter Crist, on the mound for Coloma, pitched six innings. He allowed two runs on zero hits; Crist struck out five batters and walked two.

Ethan Price finished the game for Coloma. His one inning of work resulted in one hit, one strikeout, and one walk.

Crist is now 2-2 on the season.

Offensively for the Comets, Kenyon Boyd scored two runs and hit a double. Price and Robbie Schroeder hit two singles.

Mar   0 1 0 | 0 0 1 | 0      2  1  5

Col    2 2 0 | 0 2 5 | x    11  8  3

Panther softball on the prowl

Watervliet softball welcomed Lawrence to the diamond Thursday, April 19 for doubleheader action. With their bats cracking, the Lady Panthers swept both games, 8-5 and 16-6.

Although Lawrence took the lead 2-0 in the third inning, it was Watervliet who scored in three consecutive innings to reclaim the lead 8-3 following six innings of play.

The Panthers held off a late rally by Lawrence for the win.

Celina Klimkiewicz worked from the rubber. She pitched seven innings, allowing nine hits and two earned runs; she struck out six batters.

Taylor Shafer led the Panther charge offensively with three singles.  Kara Liles came up big in the fifth when she belted a triple and scored a run.  She also hit a single and ended the night with three RBIs.

Mikalah Clay hit two singles and scored two runs.  Ariana Rowe scored a run and hit two singles.  Emalie Gitersonke hit a single and scored a run.

Law   0 0 2 | 0 0 1 | 2      5  9  5

Wat   0 0 0 | 2 4 2 | x      8  9  4

In the nightcap, Watervliet needed only a seven-run second inning to set the bar too high for Lawrence to overcome.  The Panther bats were hot as runner after runner scored for Watervliet, giving the squad the 16-6 win over Lawrence.

Lawrence’s only runs came in the fifth inning. But, the six runs scored were far outpaced by the damage done by Watervliet at the plate. The Panthers had 15 hits.

Rowe was one hit short of the cycle; she had a single, two doubles, and a triple.  She also scored three runs.

Clay hit three runners in and had a single.  Liles tapped out a single and scored two runs.  Alexis Worley hit three singles and scored one RBI.

Klimkiewicz hit two doubles and scored two runs. Sabrina Klimkiewicz posted a double and one RBI onto the stat line. Shafer hit a single and double.

Liles pitched six innings, collecting her second win this season.  She allowed six hits, three earned runs, and struck out eight batters.

Watervliet softball is undefeated this season. The squad holds a 4-0 overall and SAC record.

Wat   0 7 0 | 5 3 1       16   15   5

Law   0 0 0 | 0 6 0        6     6   8

Round robin tourney tough on Comets

Coloma baseball traveled to Bridgman Saturday, April 21 for a round robin tournament. The Comets lost both games played, 2-1 to Bridgman and 5-0 to Comstock.

Against the Bees of Bridgman, the teams played an exciting game of ball deep into the 11th inning.

Bridgman opened the game with one run in the first inning and carried that until Coloma scored a run in the seventh. With the score tied, the game headed into extra innings.

Bridgman ultimately prevailed by scoring a run in the bottom of the 11th.

Nick Eastman pitched nine and two-thirds innings for Coloma and offered up a strong showing. He allowed one run on six hits. Eastman struck out four batters and walked three.

Ethan Price came in relief for Coloma. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out one in his one inning of work. Price took the loss for Coloma.

At the plate, Eastman led Coloma with a double. Calvin Starnes and Logan Myers each hit two singles. The Comets had eight hits and two errors in the contest.

Col   0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 1 0 0 | 0 0

Bri   1 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0 1

In the second game of the tourney, Coloma was unable to hit the ball against Comstock. The Comets had three hits in seven innings and were held scoreless by the Mustangs.

Price got the call for the Comets and posted his second loss of the season.  He pitched five innings and allowed five runs on six hits; he struck out two and walked four.

Kenyon Boyd pitched one inning in relief.

Starnes was the top hitter for Coloma. He hit a double.

Col   0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0       0 3 0

Com 1 0 1 | 0 3 0 | x       5 6 0

Schoolcraft Invitational yields two losses for Panther softball

In their opening game of the Schoolcraft Invitational Saturday, April 21, held at Vicksburg, the Watervliet Panthers fell to Paw Paw 6-4.

Paw Paw led early, and Watervliet responded with one run in the fifth inning. The Panthers rallied for three runs in the seventh but fell short and lost 6-4.

Ariana Rowe took the mound for Watervliet. In six innings, she allowed six runs and eight hits. She struck out nine batters and walked one. On offense Rowe hit a single and scored a run.

Taylor Shafer hit two singles and scored one run.  Emalie Gitersonke and Alexis Worley let their bats do the talking with two singles each.

Mikalah Clay smacked a triple and two singles.

In the second round, Watervliet took on Portage Northern and lost 7-4.  Liles took the loss; she gave up four runs, eight hits, and two walks.  She struck out one.

Rowe went four for four from the plate, hitting three singles and blasting a home run. She tallied three RBIs.

Sabrina Klimkiewicz scored the other Panther run; she hit a single. Liles smacked a double.

Wat    1 0 3 | 0 0 0       4  10  3

PN     2 0 1 | 0 2 2       7   8   0

Coloma baseball soars to 16-4 win over Lawton

Coloma baseball put a hurtin’ on Lawton Friday, April 20. The mighty Comets scored a total of 16 runs on nine hits in the contest.

Lawton was able to muster up some offense in the third inning; they scored three runs but trailed Coloma 9-3.

The game was mercy-ruled following the fifth inning.

Tyler Streu won his first game of the season. He worked four innings and allowed three runs on four hits. He struck out five and walked two. Streu is now 1-1 this season.

Robbie Schroeder pitched one inning in relief. He allowed one run and struck out one batter.

Kevin Hearn was the big hitter for Coloma. He scored two runs and hit two singles.  Calvin Starnes and Nick Eastman both hit two singles.  Hunter Crist scored two RBIs and had a single.

Coloma is 5-3 overall and holds a 4-0 undefeated record in the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division.

Back of the pack Kyle Busch pulls off come from behind victory Kyle Busch took Richmond Raceway by storm Saturday evening as the driver picked up his third consecutive Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory. After starting in the 32nd spot in the lineup, Busch outmaneuvered the rest of the field to claim the trophy in the Toyota Owners 400. Busch, who won at Texas and Bristol the prior two races, earned his third victory this season and 46th career win. Busch led 32 of the race’s 402 laps and battled back Chase Elliott in overtime. Elliott started the race in second position and finished in the same spot. He posted his best finish this season and earned his second top five finish. Driving across the finish line in third place was Denny Hamlin. Hamlin led six laps and matched his highest finish of the season – third place. He finished in the same spot at Daytona to kick off the 2018 season. Joey Logano won both stages of the race but couldn’t claim the checkered flag. He led 92 laps and matched his finish at Daytona as well, fourth place. Logano is having a good season; although he remains winless, he has eight top 10 finishes in nine races this year. Kevin Harvick, who earlier this season, also won three consecutive trophies, rounded out the top five. He led eight laps and tallied his seventh top 10 of the season. Martin Truex Jr. was the race’s pole sitter. He led a race high 121 laps but finished 14th. Drivers who also led laps but finished outside the top five included: Kurt Busch (98 laps) and Clint Bowyer (45). William Byron was the highest finishing rookie on Saturday. He started in 26th and ended the race in 12th. Next up for the teams is a trip to Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Can Busch win the GEICO 500 to string together four wins? Or, will last spring’s winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. end Busch’s streak? Check back to find out!