05-31-2018 Tri-City Area Sports

Press Box Player of the Week!

By Kristy Noack

Victoria Smith: Two-sport player

 Victoria Smith, a junior on the Watervliet girls’ varsity soccer team is this edition’s Press Box Player of the Week.

Smith scored five of Watervliet’s eight goals against New Buffalo on Tuesday, May 22. She also recorded two assists in the shut out of the Bisons.  Smith scored the lone Watervliet goal in a 7-1 loss to Fennville Friday, May 25.

Smith is a two-sport athlete in the spring. In addition to soccer, she is also a member of the Panther varsity track team.

At regionals, Smith placed ninth in the 400 meters with a time of 1:08.46, a new personal record for the athlete. She also finished 10th in the long jump as she matched her season best leap of 13’ 4.5”.

Watervliet plays ball, wins two against Coloma and takes SAC crown

Watervliet’s varsity baseball squad survived a close first game and hard hitting second game to sweep the doubleheader from Coloma Friday, May 25.

The first game proved to be a barn burner between the two squads.  Heading into the game, Coloma held a 9-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference record. Watervliet was 10-0 and sat atop the Lakeshore Division. There was a lot at stake for both squads as they ended regular season play.

The game remained tied at zero through the first three innings. On the mound for Coloma was Calvin Starnes. Watervliet was depending on the arm strength of Garrett Matthews.

It was the fourth inning where things opened up for both teams.

SIXTH INNING SHOT… Watervliet’s Kara Liles belted a two-run, sixth inning double Tuesday, May 22 against Gobles to close out the first game 10-0. Watervliet also won the second game 11-0 to steal two from the Tigers. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Coloma got things started with a leadoff single at the top of the fourth inning. The Comets went on to score a run before Matthews closed out the inning on a strikeout, stranding two runners.

Watervliet tied things up at one apiece after Tyler Streu hit a single. The Comets then had two fielding errors – an overthrow at first and a passed ball behind the plate – and the Panthers scored a run to tie the game.

In the fifth inning, Watervliet shortstop Bryant Kieft caught a line shot and tossed the ball to second for the double play. That ended Coloma’s effort to retake the lead.

Watervliet couldn’t garner any offense in the fifth and the score remained 1-1.

Coloma had a shot to score in the top of the sixth inning. The squad had runners on first and second with one out. Nick Eastman hit a single to load the bases.

A shot to third base was tossed back to Watervliet catcher Ryan Chisek who tagged the Comet out at home. That left two runners on base with two outs. Another out put the Comets away without a run being scored.

Watervliet batters had a fly-out and strikeout. Ben Myas hit a single and was followed by a walk to put runners on first and second with two down. A popup to the catcher forced the third out and left two ducks on the pond for Watervliet.

DOUBLETEAM… Coloma’s Skylar Crisenbery (8) catches a pop-up Thursday night against Edwardsburg as third baseman Sam Stewart is ready as backup. In a rare outing, Coloma dropped both games to the visiting Edwardsburg Eddies. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The seventh inning was scoreless for both teams and they headed into extra innings.

The eighth inning found Coloma continuing to struggle at the plate. Watervliet ended the game after Chisek hit the walk-off RBI.

Myas led Watervliet at the plate with two singles. Coloma had five hits in the contest.

Garrett Matthews led Watervliet from the rubber. He pitched seven and two-thirds inning and gave up one run.  Chisek came on in relief for the final out.

With the victory, Watervliet improved to 11-0 in the SAC and won the Lakeshore Division outright, while Coloma fell to 9-2 in the conference.

Col      0 0 0 | 1 0 0 | 0 0      1    5

Wat     0 0 0 | 1 0 0 | 0 1      2    6

In the late game, Watervliet won 8-1.  Jakob Aldrich got the win for Watervliet. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out six.

Offensively, Watervliet jumped out early for five first-inning runs. The Comets scored one run in the fourth inning, their sole score in the contest.

Leading Watervliet at the plate was Chisek with a single and double. Matthews and Tate Halamka hit two singles apiece.

Watervliet finishes the regular season 21-1 overall and as the SAC champions with a perfect 12-0 record.

Watervliet soccer closes out season with 7-1 loss

Watervliet soccer spent their final regular season game on the road. The squad traveled to Fennville Friday, May 25 and lost 7-1.

TAKING IT ON THE CHEEK… Watervliet’s Trinity Crain caught a fist on the cheek from her New Buffalo opponent, but it didn’t stop her or the Lady Panthers Tuesday night last week. Watervliet shut out the visiting Bison 8-0. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet was set on their heels early, as they trailed 5-0 after the first half. Fennville scored another two goals in the second half. Watervliet got on the board after Vicky Smith scored on an assist from Abby Roberts.

Watervliet ended the regular season with a 4-9 overall record and was 2-6 in the SAC.

Coloma softball drops doubleheader to Edwardsburg

The Comet softball squad was in an unfamiliar position Thursday, May 24.  Pitching woes, coupled with infrequent hits, produced two losses for the Comets, one more than they had all season long before they took the field.

Coloma could not contain the hot hitting of Edwardsburg, which included an over-the-fence home run and three players collecting three hits.

The Eddies scored three runs in the second inning. Coloma got on the board in the fourth inning by scoring one run.

Coloma pitcher Skylar Crisenbery was put to the test in the sixth inning. She faced bases loaded with one out. Crisenbery struck out a batter, giving the Comets a fighting chance to end the inning without suffering any more damage.  And, she did it. Crisenbery came through with another strikeout to leave three Edwardsburg runners hugging the bags.

DOWN AND DIRTY… Coloma’s Hunter Crist kicks up some dirt as he successfully slides back to first base, covered by Watervliet’s Eric Kehrer, Friday. The Panthers swept the Comets in both cards of the doubleheader, 2-1 and 8-1 in seven. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Coloma’s Kayla Yore blasted a double in the bottom of the sixth. She was later scored by Jaidyn Hutsell, inching Coloma one run closer to Edwardsburg. As the team headed into the seventh inning, Coloma trailed 3-2.

Edwardsburg then scored three on a home run to put them up 6-2. Coloma was unable to close the gap and lost 6-2 for the Comets’ second loss of the season.

Crisenbery took the loss for Coloma. She pitched a complete game, took a hard shot off her hip and stayed in the game, and struck out nine batters. She gave up six runs on 15 hits.

Edw   0 3 0 | 0 0 0 | 3     6    15    2

Col    0 0 0 | 1 0 1 | 0     2      7     1

In the late game, Coloma generated more offense but not quite enough to overtake the hard charging Eddies.

The squads scored two runs each in the first inning. A four-run second inning gave Edwardsburg the breathing room they sought and put the game out of Coloma’s reach.

Hutsell was on the mound for Coloma. She picked up her first loss of the season.

Coloma was led offensively by Hutsell who hit three singles.  Megan Koenigshof batted two triples.  Crisenbery and Yore had two singles each.  Morgan Wagner smacked a single and double.

Coloma ended their regular season 30-3 overall and won the SAC – Lakeshore Division crown with a 12-0 record. Of the 12 conference wins, six games were shutouts by the Comets.

Edw   2 4 1 | 0 2 0 | 1      10    10    1

Col    2 0 2 | 0 0 1 | 0        5     12   4

Panthers split with South Haven on the diamond

CHAMPIONS… Congratulations to Mark Epple’s 12U Watervliet Rec Baseball team! They were undefeated champions of the 2018 Watervliet preseason tournament, out of an 11 team bracket. Pictured (from the left) are: Front row – JD Zuniga, Cole Getz, Owen Epple, Levi Getz, and Emmett Williams; Middle row – Caleb Jewell, Isaac Weber, Ben Parritt, Ruben Holleman, and Brayden Schultz; Back row – Coach Mark Epple, and Coach Clint Jewell. Not pictured is Wyatt Epple.

Watervliet softball suffered two losses at the hands of the host South Haven Rams Thursday, May 24.

The opening game found Watervliet losing 5-4 in extra innings.

South Haven took an early 1-0 lead after the first inning. The Panthers responded in the second inning with one run to tie the game.

The Rams reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning. Both teams scored two runs in the fifth inning, as Watervliet railed 4-3.

The Panthers scored the tying run in the sixth inning. But, it was South Haven with the final run of the game in the ninth inning to take the win.

Kara Liles was on the mound for Watervliet; she took the loss.

Mikalah Clay led Watervliet with a single and home run. She had two RBIs.

Sabrina Klimkiewicz hit a single and scored a run.  Emalie Gitersonke had a single and double.

Wat   0 0 1 | 0 2 1 | 0 0 0         4

SH    1 0 0 | 1 2 0 | 0 0 1         5

The Lady Panthers had much better results in their second game of the night. When the Watervliet bats are cracking, they are virtually unstoppable.

DOUBLE DOWN… Hartford’s Yovanna Naranjo (11) and Abigail Lopez (14) double their efforts to drive the ball down the field May 23 during the Indians’ game against Lawton. Despite their best efforts, Hartford lost 2-1. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet opened the game with a one-run first inning. The Panthers added another run in the second inning. South Haven tied the game up at two in the third, but Watervliet responded with another run in the fourth. Both teams scored a run in the seventh, giving Watervliet the 4-3 victory.

Ariana Rowe led Watervliet from the rubber for the win. She also hit two doubles and batted in a run.

Madalyn Hutchins and Sabrina Klimkiewicz both hit a double.  Gitersonke hit two singles.

Wat   1 1 0 | 1 0 0 | 1    4    9    2

SH    0 0 2 | 0 0 0 | 1    3    7    4

Coloma soccer 4-3-1 in Conference

Coloma suffered a Southwestern Athletic Conference loss Wednesday, May 23 to Delton Kellogg in what Coloma head coach Rick Redman termed “a tough game.”

The Comets lost 3-2 in the final two minutes of the game.

Delton Kellogg scored early, forcing the Comets into a game of catch up. In the first half, Delton scored two goals.

Coloma got on the scoreboard in the second half after Emma Vandermolen and Katelyn Johnson booted goals for the Comets.

Delton Kellogg scored its final goal with just under two minutes left in the game, taking the 3-2 win.

Emma Watson was in as keeper for Coloma. She recorded 16 saves.

Coloma ended their season with an 8-4-1 overall record.  They finished fifth in the SAC with a 4-3-1 record.

Hartford hampered by pesky Blue Devils

Things looked good early for Hartford on Wednesday, May 23. The squad looked crisp on their home soccer field and controlled most of the early minutes of play.

Mercedes Requenes scored for Hartford. She was assisted by Abigail Lopez. The first half goal would prove to be the only Indian score of the night.

Lawton scored two goals in the first half but was held scoreless in the second half. The Blue Devils won the final regular season game by a score of 2-1.

Jessica Cortes was in goal for Hartford. She tallied seven saves for the Indians.

Hartford softball splits with Bridgman

Hartford softball teed off against Bridgman Wednesday, May 23. The Indians lost the first game 3-1 but won the second contest

In the early game, Lainey Goodson pitched for Hartford. She had three strikeouts.

Hartford’s lone score came in the first inning as Jaelyne Galvan had an RBI single. Lexi Griffith had two of Hartford’s four hits.

Har   1 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0         1   4   1

Bri    0 0 2 | 0 0 0 | 1         3  11  0

Megan Nelson took the rubber for Hartford in the second game and notched the 5-4 win. She struck out three.

Bridgman led 2-0 after two innings before Hartford tied the game in the fourth inning. Both teams scored in the fifth and sixth innings to keep the game knotted up.

Hartford came away with the 5-4 win after Galvan hit a single to score the winning run in the seventh inning.

Har   0 0 0 | 2 1 1 | 1        5    9    2

Bri    1 1 0 | 0 1 1 | 0        4    8    0

Traver shines at SW10 Championship track meet

Riley Traver had a heck of a night Tuesday, May 22 at the SW10 track meet hosted by the Indians.

Traver took first place after he won the high jump by clearing 6’ 1”.

He finished second in the 100 meters and recorded a personal best with a time of 11.57 seconds.

He was also part of the first place 4×100 meter relay team that included Robert Ledesma, Aaron Sinclair, and Xavier Salinas. The foursome took first with a time of 46.41 seconds.

For the young ladies, the Hartford 4×800 meter relay team, comprised of Adrianna Morseau, Brittney Vanlandingham, Katherine Sanchez, and Lena Baumgartner, finished third with a time of 11:08.27.

AJ Jackson took second in the discus with a season record throw of 97’11”.

SAC league meet results in big wins for Coloma and Watervliet

Saugatuck was the sight of some impressive track and field events Tuesday, May 22 as the school hosted the SAC league meet.

The host won the championship with 131.66 points. Coloma took second with 90 points, and Watervliet was eighth with 37 points.

Coloma’s Derek Plitt was the top dog in the 100 meters. His time of 11.55 seconds proved best.

Watervliet’s Lamarrius Smith was first in the 200 meters. He matched his season best time of 23.23 seconds. Plitt was second with a time of 23.45 seconds; he matched his season best. Coloma’s Sincere Taylor finished third with a time of 23.54 seconds.

The 400 meters was won by Coloma’s Josh Young in a time of 51.80 seconds.  Taylor was second; he set a new PR with a time of 52.24 seconds.

Coloma’s Caleb Ellis finished second in the 800 meters (2:06.84).

Coloma’s team of Michael Dancer, Nick Fogarty, Ellis, and Plitt joined forces for a third-place finish in the 4×100 meter relay. They ran the relay in a time of 45.67 seconds.

Ellis, Taylor, Young, and Plitt scored gold with a first-place run in the 4×200 meter relay (1:33.33).

Ellis, Taylor, Fogarty, and Young also took first in the 4×400 meter relay (3:38.49).

Coloma’s Jonah Jones was second in the discus with a throw of 143’ 11”, a new personal record.

Watervliet’s Smith finished third in the high jump (5’ 10”). He also claimed the runner-up spot in the long jump with a leap of 20’ 5.5”.

Panthers pounce all over Tigers for two wins

Watervliet’s baseball team earned two big victories over visiting Gobles Tuesday, May 22. The Panthers pounced early for the 4-0 and 3-0 shutouts.

Watervliet led 1-0 after the second inning.

Garrett Matthews got the win, with Ryan Chisek picking up the save for Watervliet.

Tate Halamka led the Panthers with two singles.

Gob   0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0      0     4     2

Wat   0 1 0 | 0 2 1 | x      4     7     1

In the second go-round, Watervliet relied on Jakob Aldrich and Chisek on the rubber.  The duo combined for 10 strikeouts, with Aldrich getting the win and Chisek the save.

Bryant Kieft led Watervliet at the plate with two triples.

Watervliet is now 19-1 overall and remains undefeated at 10-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division.

Gob   0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 0     0    4    1

Wat   0 0 3 | 0 0 0 | x     3    5    1

Watervliet Softball shuts out Gobles twice for SAC wins

Kara Liles turned up the heat and Watervliet’s bats went to work Tuesday, May 22 as the Panthers shut out the visiting Gobles Tigers not once but twice.

The early outing saw Watervliet strike the 10-0 shutout in six innings.

Liles got the win on the mound. She allowed just three hits, while striking out two batters.

Liles also led the Panthers with three singles and a game ending two-run double.

Ariana Rowe hit two doubles and scored one run.  Taylor Shafer had three singles and one RBI.  Mikalah Clay blasted a single and triple and had one RBI. Sabrina Klimkiewicz and Madalyn Hutchins both scored one run and had a single.

Gob    0 0 0 | 0 0 0 |      0    3    3

Wat    1 2 2 | 3 0 2 |     10   15  1

In the late game, the Lady Panthers shut out Gobles 11-0.

Watervliet scored two runs in the first inning, one run coming off the bat of Clay after she tripled.

The Panther squad added another five runs in the third inning.

Rowe got the win for Watervliet. She allowed two hits and struck out four batters.

Watervliet was led by Clay with a single, triple and RBI.  Shafer hit a double and scored a run.  Rowe tallied a single and scored two runs.  Liles had a single and one RBI.  Alexis Worley hit a double and scored two runs. Brenna Langston recorded one run.

Watervliet is 10-2 in the SAC – Lakeshore Division and is 18-11 overall.

Panthers beat Bison big time

The visiting New Buffalo Bison lost 8-0 to host Watervliet Tuesday, May 22.

Watervliet found the Bison net early and often. The Panthers scored four goals in the first half and four goals in second half.

Vicky Smith led Watervliet with five goals and two assists. Emma Kraklau scored three goals and had one assist. Emma Armstrong recorded two assists.  Susanna Van Lente tallied one assist.

Alex Hays was in goal for the Panthers; she earned the clean sheet.

It’s that time: Watervliet Flag/Rocket Football and Cheerleading sign-ups scheduled

Watervliet rocket and flag football and cheerleading sign-up dates have been announced. On Saturday, June 2 from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., head over to South School, located at 433 Lucinda Lane to get your child registered.

If you miss that sign up, Friday, June 8 will offer a second opportunity to get registered. That event will also be held at South School from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

The final sign-up date is Thursday, June 14 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at North School, 287 Baldwin.

Please bring your child and their birth certificate to the sign-up event.  Children will need to try on uniforms and equipment.

The cost to play flag football is $60. The fee to register for rocket football or cheerleading is $75.

First and second graders are eligible for flag football. Third and fourth graders will play on the junior rocket football team, while fifth and sixth graders will be on the senior rocket football team.

Cheerleading is open to third through sixth graders.

Paul Broadhurst wins KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

Paul Broadhurst turned in a 19-under 265 for the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA championship. His final round Sunday, May 27 at Harbor Shores was 63.

Broadhurst won his fourth title in two years on the championship tour.

District baseball and softball programs begin their title drives

Division 3 District 77 baseball play, hosted at Coloma, began Tuesday, May 29.

Bloomingdale and Coloma squared off at 4:30 while Hartford took on Gobles.  Watervliet received a first round bye.

The winner of the Coloma/Bloomingdale game will take on the Panthers at noon Saturday, June 2. The Hartford/Gobles winner will face Bangor at 10:00 a.m. that same day.

Winners of the semi-final games will meet up for the championship at 2:00 p.m.

Baseball regionals will be held Saturday, June 9 at Buchanan.

On the softball side of things, Bloomingdale and Coloma tangled at 4:30 Tuesday.

Both Watervliet and Hartford received first round byes.

The winner of the Coloma/Bloomingdale game will hit the diamond versus Watervliet Saturday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. Hartford will face Bangor at noon.

The winner of the semi-final games will play in the championship game at 2:00 p.m.

Softball regionals will be held at Buchanan Saturday, June 9.

Soccer districts set, ready for titles

Division 3 District 33 play began Tuesday, May 29. Coloma took on Dowagiac at home. The winner of that contest will face Buchanan at Buchanan Thursday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m.

Division 4 District 49 action will find Watervliet playing the winner of the Michigan Lutheran/Bridgman game on Thursday, May 31 at 6:00 p.m. at LMC.

Hartford will host District 50 play. The Indians received a first round bye and will play Thursday, May 31 at home against the winner of the Holland Calvary/Holland Black River contest.

Full results of first round action will be available in next week’s Tri-City Record.

Kyle Busch turns in dominating performance at Charlotte

The 2018 season of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is being dominated by two names: Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. The drivers have combined to win nine of the season’s 13 races thus far. It was Busch who gave no quarter Sunday night as he completely obliterated the other drivers’ chances to win at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch earned his fourth victory of the season in the Coca-Cola 600. His career total now sits at 47. Busch led all three race stages and a whopping 377 of the race’s 400 laps. According to NASCAR, Busch is the “only driver to win at every Cup track he has started a race.” What an incredible feat! Martin Truex Jr. finished in the runner-up spot. The driver has three poles, one win, and eight top five finishes this season. Denny Hamlin led nine laps and earned his sixth top five finish as he took third. Hamlin remains winless this year. Brad Keselowski led two laps en route to his fourth place finish. He is also one of many who have not yet sealed up their first win this season. Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion, remains trophy-less this season but he did round out Sunday’s top five. Pole sitter Jamie McMurray finished sixth. Bubba Wallace Jr. was the event’s highest finishing rookie. He started 24th but finished 16th, one lap down. Joey Logano was the only driver who led laps but did not finish in the top five. He led the charge for 12 laps and finished 22nd on the day. The race featured 11 caution periods for 54 laps. There were nine lead changes in the 13th race of the 2018 season. Nine drivers finished on the lead lap. Next up for the NASCAR teams is Pocono Raceway on Sunday. The drivers will battle for the Pocono 400 trophy. Last spring, Ryan Blaney won the checkered flag. Blaney is winless this season. Can he bring home a win this spring? Find out in next week’s Pit Stop.