Local Sports Journal
The Montague Wildcats finished 1-1 in their two baseball games at the Orchard View Invitational on Saturday.
The Wildcats dropped a 10-4 decision to Forest Hills Eastern in the opener and defeated Muskegon 12-6 in their second game.
In the opener, Tristen Schultz pitched four innings and allowed six hits and one earned run. He struck out three. He also helped himself at the plate with a pair of hits, including an RBI double. Jacob Buchberger had three hits, one RBI and scored one run. Cameron Brayman doubled and scored a run.
“Tristen pitched a great game, but the defense let him down by giving up seven unearned runs in the second inning,” Montague coach Kevin Buchberger said. “That was a hole too deep to get out of. We played hard and battled every at bat, but just couldn’t get a big rally going offensively.”
It was Montague’s first loss after winning its first seven games.
In the nightcap, Montague jumped out early by scoring five in the first inning, three in the second and four in the fourth.
“When we get on base, we are pretty aggressive and can score a lot of runs with the offensive power we have on the team this year,” Buchberger said. “Scoring early relaxes the defense and they just go out and play baseball.”
Winning pitcher Buchberger pitched four solid innings. He allowed one earned run and one hit. He struck out five. Cody Gjertsen had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Jacob Marsh had three hits, including a double, and two RBI. Chayce Lohman had two hits and scored two runs. Chase Casebolt reached base three runs after getting hit by the pitch twice and drawing a walk. He scored each time.
Montague is now 8-1.
