Call it a dozen.
Glen Lake baseball clinched their 12th consecutive district championship on Saturday with victories over Lake Leelanau St. Mary and Suttons Bay.
“It feels great to just carry on the legacy of a great program and we go by the motto that tradition never graduates and it feels really good to be a part of something great,” Glen Lake junior Peter Gelsinger.
Glen Lake hosted Marion yesterday as of press time for a chance to play in the regional final Saturday in Muskegon against either Manistee Catholic Central or Muskegon Western Michigan Christian.
“Marion is going to be a tough matchup... they pitch well, play good defense and are very quick offensively. It’s going to take our best ball to beat them,” Glen Lake coach Kris Herman said.
The rain held out Saturday for a beautiful day of baseball during the district tournament hosted by Glen Lake.
Suttons Bay (12-21 overall, 5-7 NWC) started the district baseball action by defeating Frankfort 5-1, advancing to the district championship.
The Norsemen were led by senior Lucas Gordon who allowed one run on two hits while striking out 10 in his final win as a Norseman. Gordon also had a day at the plate with two hits, RBI. Suttons Bay seniors Tyler Porter and Shane O’Boyle combined for three RBIs. Gordon, Porter, and Jackson Loucks each stole multiple bases for Suttons Bay during the win.
“(Gordon did a nice job as he always does and made the plays when we needed them,” Suttons Bay baseball coach Doug Periard said.
Gordon finished the season with 113 strikeouts and pitched 64 innings, which is a school record.
Glen Lake started its run with a 10-0 victory over Lake Leelanau St. Mary.
“We pitched really well and came out very aggressive offensively. The guys had been waiting to get after it, and when the opportunity came, they were ready,” Glen Lake coach Kris Herman said.
Laker senior Cooper Bufalini threw his second no-hitter of the season with seven strikeouts and three walks. Last week, he threw his first no-hitter against Suttons Bay. Bufalini also contributed two hits and an RBI in the win over St. Mary.
Tanner Crick also had two hits, RBI; Fletcher Middleton two hits; Tyler Brown two RBIs, double; Isaac Hlavka 4 RBIs.
Glen Lake defeated Suttons Bay 12-0 to capture the Lakers 12th straight district championship.
Laker Junior Benji Allen had 14 strikeouts, allowing only three hits. Leading hitters for Glen Lake included Peter Gelsinger with four hits, five RBIs, and senior Aiden Gokey with two hits, RBI, and Joey Rioux with two hits.
“Especially this late in the season, all the teams are pretty solid,” Glen Lake junior Benji Allen said. “Focus is going to be a big key part of our success … just having a good mental game I think is really going to carry us through the rest of the season.”
Herman says a 12th consecutive district champion speaks to the faith of the kids and the remarkable consistency in the way they execute.
“ We have a great coaching staff who teach the game well starting in middle school, and year after year, the kids believe in what they are being told. They don’t look past anyone, respect that nothing will be handed to them and work hard to play the game the right way. I can’t really ask for any more than that,” he said.
