By Jason Goorman
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Catholic baseball team knew it would take a great effort to beat rival Mona Shores in a non-league showdown on Wednesday.

The Crusaders got that from standout pitcher Nick Holt.

lsj-fb-logoThe senior lefthander used strong control of his fastball and off-speed pitches to keep the Sailors guessing the entire game. The result was a 5-2 victory for the Crusaders on their home field.

Nick Holt delivers the pitch for MCC. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

Nick Holt delivers the pitch for MCC. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

“(Holt) threw his off speed stuff a lot, but you know that’s a really good hitting Mona Shores team and they squared up on a couple of them,” said MCC coach Mark Schuitema. “But we hit the ball good today and found a good start.”

“It was fun just being able to be a senior and the last time playing these guys and just being able to be lucky and get the win,” said Holt, who scattered five hits and struck out six. “They are a great team and will win a lot of games this year.”
The Crusaders went to work right away, loading the bases with no outs in the first inning after Anthony Woodard walked, Zack Winzer singled and Jacob Holt was hit by a pitch.

Hunter Broersma is congratulated by coach Walt Gawkowski after hitting a triple in the second inning for Mona Shores. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

Hunter Broersma is congratulated by coach Walt Gawkowski after hitting a triple in the second inning for Mona Shores. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

Dominic Woodard stepped up with a sacrifice fly to drive in his brother Anthony from third base and Winzer from second to give MCC a 2-0 lead.

MCC struck again in the second inning on Anthony Woodard’s RBI double, which drove in Griffen Seymour. The Crusaders added runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

“We had a couple chances but the thing about Holt is he just pounded the strike zone,” said Mona Shores coach Walt Gawkowski. “He got his fastball over and his breaking ball over and that makes it tough.”

MCC's Zach Houston gets ready to make the out at first base from his knees after diving to snag a hard hit grounder up the middle. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

MCC’s Zach Houston gets ready to make the out at first base from his knees after diving to snag a hard hit grounder up the middle. Photo/Marc Hoeksema

Noah Dykstra started the Sailors’ first rally in the fourth inning with a base hit. He eventually scored on a Ryan Bramer grounder. Mona Shores added its final run in the seventh inning on Elijah Wilson’s RBI single that drove in Chase Baker, who reached base with a triple.