The two teams that met in the Division IV District title game a season ago will meet a little earlier, but the game should mean just as much.

ST. MARY baserunner Ryan Korson (14) beats
the throw as Glen Lake first baseman Joey Galla
reaches for the throw Tuesday in a pre-district
game won by St. Mary, 15-1.

Lake Leelanau St. Mary has beaten Traverse City St. Francis twice in the past two seasons - 7-6 in the final of the St. Francis Tournament at Wuerfel Park held April 26, and 8-7 in the 2007 District final. The Eagles kept rolling, eventually capturing the 2007 Regional title en route to a 28-7 finish, their best record ever.

St. Mary is already assured of having fewer losses — it is 22-5 — but again must beat powerhouse St. Francis to have a successful tournament run.

St. Mary coach Steve Plamondon said the Gladiators will want to make a statement. “They probably are looking forward to playing us as much as we’re looking forward to another game with them,” he said.

St. Mary advanced with a predistrict win Tuesday over Glen Lake, 15-1. Leland also advanced with an 18-5 drubbing of Traverse City Christian.

Leland will face Leelanau School, which drew the only bye in the Districts, at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School field on 3 Mile Road south of Hammond Road. St. Mary and St. Francis will follow, with the title game expected to start some time after 1 p.m.

Raymond Platts delivers a pitch for
the Eagles.

The winner of the Catholic school matchup will emerge as the heavy favorite to take the title. St. Francis and St. Mary are expected to put their aces on the mound — junior Ray Platts (6-3, 2.32 ERA) for St. Mary; senior Dan Brick for St. Francis.

“We have not faced him since last year. And they have not raced Ray,” said Plamondon.

The Glads will also bring a host of seniors to the game, starting seven. Four seniors start for the Eagles.

St. Mary advanced with a surprisingly easy win over Glen Lake, a team that swept a double header from the Eagles on April 23. St. Mary had beaten the Lakers in the Leelanau Classic.

“It did surprise me. We’ve built quite a rivalry with Glen Lake,” said Plamondon.

Platts was near perfect, only allowing singles by Lakers Devin Weber and Nick Swartz. He also struck out five, and pounded out a two-run triple in a 5-run fifth inning that shortened the game through the mercy rule.

Kienan Sutton swatted three singles and a double, driving in 5 runs. He also scored a run.

Also credit Chase Bonhag, Ryan Korson, Jacob Plamondon and Matt Pasch with two singles each; Plamondon scored 4 runs and Pasch knocked in 2.

St. Mary coach Steve Plamondon talks
with Matt Pasch (15) and Platts (24)
during the game.

Sutton (.605) and Pasch (.589) are having quite a contest for batting honors for St. Mary. At their present efficiency, both are above the St. Mary school batting record.

Leland, meanwhile, rebounded quickly from a double loss to St. Mary Friday that ended both teams’ regular seasons. The Comets eliminated Christian from the Districts behind the strong arm of Alex Gulow and the bat of Adam Nedow to improve to 9-20.

Gulow allowed just 5 hits and walked 3 while striking out 7. Only 2 of Christian’s 5 runs were earned.

Nedow, meanwhile, went 5-for-5 with a double. He also scored 4 runs.

Matt Rinehart also helped, going 3-for-6 and scoring 3 runs. Leland benefited from nine walks. Phil Matro banged out a pair of doubles.

It was the outcome Comet coach Scott Stoerck was hoping for, and the type of performance that could land his squad in the District final.

“Christian is a team we should beat, but it’s never a lock for us,” said Stoerck. “The kids are excited, especially the seniors.

The future doesn’t appear bright for Leland should it face St. Mary, a 15-0 and 16-1 winner Friday over the Comets in games limited to three innings by the mercy rule.

Winning pitcher Matt Pasch in his first stint on the mound since April 19 because of arm problems lookied strong, allowing just 2 hits over four innings. Comets Dylon Schaub and Art Wolin pounded out singles. Platts knocked out a 2-run homer, and David O’Connor, Sutton, and Matt and David Pasch had 2 singles apiece.

Adam Peplinski allowed just one hit in winning the final with two innings of work. He struck out 4. Platts offered one inning of relief work.

Bonhag (3 runs, 2 RBI), Matt Pasch (2 runs, 2 RBI) and O’Connor each provided singles. Credit Jacob Plamondon with a triple, single, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Adam Nedow provided Leland’s two hits — a run-scoring single and a double.