LocalSportsJournal.com
 

NORTH MUSKEGON — North Muskegon swept a West Michigan Conference Rivers Division baseball doubleheader with Mason County Central at home Tuesday afternoon, 4-2 and 9-1.

The Spartans opened up a two-run lead in the first inning of the opener, but the Norsemen came right back two innings later and scored a pair of runs in the third to tie the score.
 
“We had a couple errors, but it was more than the errors,” said Spartan coach Chris Carr. “It was our communication between players. Once we get that reestablished and get over that hump, this team could be successful.”
 
Troy McManus got the win for the Norsemen, spinning a four-hitter, issuing three walks and striking out eight over seven innings.
 
Ben Meyers finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk, one RBI and one run scored. McManus was 2-for-4 with one run batted in and Ryan Delora had one hit, drove in one run and scored one.
 
Spartan senior Will Chye was the losing pitcher. He worked six innings and allowed nine hits, two walks and struck out six. The Norsemen scored two earned runs.
 
Chye, Payton Merz and Tyler Thurow each collected base hits for the Spartans, while Brady Anes, Chye and Merz each drove in one run.
 
Delora picked up the win for the Norsemen in the nightcap with a complete game. He allowed just one hit, one run, one walk and he struck out 11.
 
Meyers collected three more hits, had four stolen bases and scored two runs. Delora finished 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. Sam Gallo was 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored. Carson Moat also was 2-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored, while T.J. Byard went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
 
Anes started the game for the Spartans. He worked the first 2 2/3 innings and surrendered four hits, two walks and struck out two. He allowed four runs.
 
Merz, who had the only hit, came out of the bullpen and threw the next three innings and was touched for five hits, four runs, two walks and struck out two.
 
Thurow was the third pitcher used, and he finished the final 1 1/3 innings. He gave up two hits and one run while striking out one.
 
North Muskegon is on the road Thursday for a non-conference twinbill at Kent City.
 
Mason County Central hits the road for another conference doubleheader at Montague on Thursday.