By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The 2024 Greater Muskegon Area All-Star Classic baseball game took place on Monday night at the historic Marsh Field.

It was a chance for 32 local seniors to get one last chance to compete at the high school level. Those players represented 16 school districts throughout the area.

The Blue team overcame an early three-run deficit and defeated the Red squad, 8-6.

The game’s MVP, Ryan Delora, stands with Pete Gawkowski at home plate. Photo/Michael Banka

The Blue team scored two runs in the second inning and a single run in the third to tie the contest at three runs apiece.

The big inning came in the fourth for the Blue team as they scored five runs to take an 8-3 lead. The Red team responded with two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth, but couldn’t complete a comeback.

The victorious Blue team was led by North Muskegon’s Ryan Delora, who blasted a three-run homer to give his team the lead in the fourth inning. Delora was named the MVP thanks to his moonshot over the left field fence.

“It was a fun last game,” Delora said after winning the award. “I have played a lot here (Marsh Field) and I have always wanted to hit a home run here. It was a cool game to do it here. Delora will be going to Lansing Community College to pitch next season.

The Blue team also had solid performances from Reeths-Puffer’s Trent Reichert, who had a triple, single, RBI and a run scored along with striking out three batters on the m0und.

Ludington’s Gage Jones had an RBI double, and a run scored, while both Whitehall’s Ryne Christensen and Ravenna’s Colin Poley had an RBI single.

Reichert earned the victory for the Blue team while Mona Shores’ Brady Recknagel earned the save. He had four strikeouts.

The Red team had single RBI from Dayton Deal (Grand Haven), Blake Weirich (Hart) and Christian Kennedy (Fruitport).

Oakridge’s Julian Primmer had a double, while Justin Hatzel (Grand Haven), Brody Jennings (Oakridge), Ethan Ring (Mona Shores) and Kyle Stratton (Whitehall) each collected a base hit.

Reeths-Puffer’s pitcher Jaxson Whitaker struck out three batters.

“It was fun playing with a lot of the guys that I have always played baseball against,” Whitaker said. “It was a good game and fun overall. It was fun playing against some of my teammates, but part of me wished they were on my team.”

Photos by Michael Banka.