Martians win regional

By Lisa Paine
Posted Thursday, June 12, 2008

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By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

GOODRICH — After winning its first Div. 2 baseball district title which will join nine Div. 3 trophies in the showcase, the Martians claimed their third regional crown after ousting Imlay City, 3-0, in the semifinals before beating Bay City John Glenn, 15-7 in the title game. Goodrich last won regional titles in 2000 and 2003.

In the semifinals, the Martians met up with Yale district winners Imlay City, which clinched its first district title since 1994. Jake Bourassa hurled a five-hitter at the Spartans and struck out seven, ending their hopes for the second jewel of the postseason.

“We came out of the gates swinging and scored three right away,” said Goodrich coach Bob Foreback. “Their pitcher (Justin Pitt) settled down and pitched a great game after that first inning.”

Pitt also pitched a five-hitter, but allow three runs, while fanning seven. He also had two hits for the Spartans.

Bourassa was also key on offense as he was 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run. Caleb Jones chipped in with one hit, one run and one RBI, while Bobby Short drove in one run.

In the title game against Bay City John Glenn, the third inning pretty much clinched the win for the Martians after they scored eight runs to go with their four in the first. Three more in the sixth sealed the deal.

Luke Harrison got the start, allowing seven hits and five runs, four earned, in three innings of work. Jones relieved him giving up five hits and two earned runs in the final four innings.

“It is very rare to have 22 runs score in a regional final, but both teams had hot bats. It was a hitter’s day with the wind blowing and the temperature in the 80s,” Foreback said. “We feel very fortunate to get this regional title. It is a difficult thing to do and it means we are one of the last eight teams in the state still playing.”

At the plate, Steve Hughes had two hits, two runs and three RBI, Jake Bourassa scored two runs, Jones scored two and had one hit and Brett Johnson score one run, singled and drove in three runs. Short chipped in with two runs, a hit and one RBI, Nick Bourassa scored two runs, had three hits and one RBI. Dustin Smith and Kyler Elsworth scored two runs, had a hit and drove in two runs.

The Martians moved on the state quarterfinals Tuesday to clash with Warren Woods-Tower at Flushing, pulling out a heartstopping 8-4 win. The victory puts Goodrich in the state semis for the first time since 2003. Ranked No. 10 in Div. 2, Goodrich (36-4) will face Dearborn Divine Child (30-10) tomorrow at Battle Creek at 3 p.m.

Jake Bourassa went the distance, but not without some trouble that let Warren Woods get within four runs. Several times during the game, Warren Woods got men on base, but great defensive efforts in the field stopped any chances of them reaching home.

No. 1-1, Flushing

Grand Blanc’s run for a regional title was ended in the semifinals when it was shut out, 6-0, by Flushing in last Saturday’s semifinal meeting. Host Flushing moves on to the state quarterfinals after the Raiders beat Traverse City Central, 8-4, to win the regional title.

For Flushing, the fourth inning that featured three runs made the difference against Grand Blanc, but so did the short ball. Flushing used its bunt strategy to keep the Cats guessing.

Jason Hager took the 6-0 loss after falling behind 3-0 on several key bunts, but he also dug the Cats out of a bases-loaded situation with no outs in the fourth, striking out seven.