By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON- The Muskegon Clippers continued their hot pursuit of reaching the playoffs in front of a packed Marsh Field in Saturday’s home closer against Irish Hills.

Despite an exciting 5-2 win over the visiting Irish Hills team, the Clippers postseason hopes fall just short in their race for the last playoff-spot with the Saginaw Sugar Beets.

The Clippers finish out their home season winning seven of their last eight games at Marsh Field. Muskegon has now won nine of their last 10 games over all.

Blake Dunn approaches the mound as he prepares to throw one of the final pitches of the Clippers last home game of the regular season Photo/Jason Goorman.

“We wish we had another five games on the schedule,” said Clippers Manager Walt Gawkowski “We are playing so well right now that we would be in the playoffs. I have been so proud of how we have played the last couple of weeks.”

Muskegon is now 23-18 on the season, good for fourth place in the Northern Division. The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.

The Clippers opened scoring in the first inning on an RBI single by Ryan Blake-Jones and a sacrifice fly from Blake Dunn to take a 2-0 lead.

Muskegon added to its advantage in the third frame on an RBI double by Blake-Jones.

The Clippers increased the lead to 4-0 in the fourth with a solo home run from Tyler Carpenter.

Irish Hills finally responded in the sixth inning with two runs to cut its deficit to a 4-2 margin.

Muskegon closed out the scoring with an RBI single from Nolan Bryant in the sixth.

The Clippers were led offensively by Jack Butler and Blake-Jones with three hits apiece, while Bryant and Carpenter each added two.

Jacob Gilhaus pitched the victory for Muskegon, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out six batters in six innings.