LocalSportsJournal.com

SCOTTVILLE — Coach Chris Carr understands that the Mason County Central baseball team doesn’t strike fear in anyone at the plate, and therefore needs to manufacture runs and play defense.

But the Spartans couldn’t find what they needed in Wednesday afternoon’s West Michigan Conference doubleheader with Montague, and dropped both games, 12-1 and 8-1.

Kade Johnson picked up the win for the Wildcats in the first game, giving up no runs on just one hit and two walks while striking out nine.

Leading hitters for the Wildcats included Aidan Buchberger who had two hits, including a home run, and two runs batted in. Nick Moss also had two hits and two runs scored, and Tugg Nichols had a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Carr sent Simon Shimel out to the hill for the Spartans in the opener. Shimel threw 5 1/3 innings and was touched for two earned runs on two hits with two walks and hit a batter.

Leading the way at the plate for the Spartans were Will Chye with two singles while Brady Anes had a single and scored a run. Shimel came through with a run batted in.

Taking the mound for the Wildcats in the nightcap was Colton Blankstrom who threw four innings and gave up just one earned run on two hits and struck out nine with no walks.

Buchberger finished the game with two hits and two RBIs for the Wildcats. Hayden McDonald contributed a double and three runs scored while Nichols had one hit, two RBIs and a run scored.

The nightcap found Chye on the bump for the Spartans and he went 1 1/3 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on a walk, a hit and struck out one.

Jacob Johnson was called out of the bullpen and threw 1 2/3 innings, giving up three runs (all unearned) on three hits, four walks and a strike out.

Owen Shimel finished the game for the Spartans, giving up two runs (both earned) on two hits and two walks.

Chye rapped out a single and a double and scored a run. Anes contributed a single and Simon Shimel produced a single and a RBI.

Montague improved to 4-5 overall and 4-0 in the WMC.