LocalSportsJournal.com
EAST LANSING – The Spring Lake Lakers used stellar pitching, timely hitting and solid defense in a big way on Friday evening.
The Lakers stepped up on Friday with a strong team performance and are now heading to Saturday’s Division 2 state finals at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium.
Spring Lake took down Richland Gull Lake in a masterful 5-2 semifinal win, advancing the Lakers to the finals for the first time since 1995.
“We were all on a good roll (tonight), we love being with these guys and they love being with each other,” said Spring Lake Coach Bill Core. “Anything can happen on any given day, but for the community, it’s just a great thing.”
The Laker’s command of the game started with junior pitcher Zane Stahl delivering an incredible performance. Spring Lake continued with crisp plays from shortstop Zach Schlepp and it was all wrapped up with key hits at the plate.
Stahl pitched a seven-inning complete game for Spring Lake.
The 6-7 right hander was steady the whole night, giving up runs in the fifth and seventh innings, while scattering four hits, four walks and striking out four.
“Felt awesome, just working the ball and being able to keep the hitters off balance,” said Stahl. “Coach trained us really well, we’re always having fun and loose, but he keeps it all tightened down.”
Stahl came through at the plate as well with two hits that included a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning. Stahl also had three stolen bases.
“It helped me on the mound a little bit,” said Stahl about helping himself out with hits at the plate. “I’m looser, having more fun, and I’m not so tensed up, ready to play. “
The Lakers were backed up in the field by Schlepp at shortstop.
“I was in the right place today,” said Schlepp about his pair of double plays. “Feels good, it’s definitely a momentum swing for our team and just having a bang-bang play, and I’m on top of it, it feels all right.”
The senior turned two double plays in the game, both on unassisted forceouts at second base with throws to first base. Schlepp also had an RBI single in the first inning.
“It’s pretty sweet, being my last year, going out like this, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Schlepp.
Spring Lake got the game rolling early on, getting a run in the first inning off Richland pitcher Julian Harris.
Gabe Trask led off the game and reached first on an error. Oliver Smies then reached on a walk. Schlepp stepped up, with two out, and delivered the RBI single for an early, 1-0 lead.
Stahl cruised through the middle innings for Spring Lake, giving up no hits from the second through the fifth innings. Schlepp highlighted the fourth inning with the first of his two double plays.
“Both double plays ended the innings (fourth and sixth),” said Stahl about Schlepp’s plays at shortstop. “For him (Schlepp) to hit that double play and for us to come into the dugout all hyped up, it turns over to hitting, it’s huge.”
The Lakers biggest rally came in the fifth inning.
Trask reached first on an error and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Jaden Core sent home Trask with an RBI single.
Oliver Smies next reached base for Spring Lake on a shot to right-center field. Richland center fielder Evan Kaiser nearly tracked down Smies’ deep hit, but the ball popped out, leaving the Lakers with two men on and no out.
Spring Lake third baseman, May was able to take first base after getting hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded and one out, Stahl delivered a two-run single to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.
The Lakers had their hands full in the sixth as Richland had two men on with one out. Brendan Tanner had an RBI single to make the score 5-1, and the Blue Devils still had two runners aboard.
Schlepp stepped up with his second double play to close out the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Richland was able to rally with two base hits.
“First we’re thinking it’s the No. 8 and 9 hitters, so let’s get these two guys and then fight with the top of the order. But both those guys got on and now you’re saying, ‘OK’,” said Core about the sticky seventh inning.
Spring Lake’s Jaden Core fielded a grounder at second base, and got the first out for the Lakers.
“We kept really good composure,” said Coach Core. “Jaden got the ball going towards first (base) and everyone is yelling, 2-2-2, but we’ve got a 5-1 lead, get the out.”
Schlepp then grabbed a grounder at shortstop, sending home the Blue Devils’ Chad Romyak for the 5-2 Spring Lake lead.
“Zack had runners on second and third, ground ball, get the out, so what if that run scores,” said Core. “Now they’ve got two out with a guy on third, they got a ways to go now with a 5-2 lead.”
May then fielded a hard-hit grounder at third base to close out the game and sending the Lakers to the state finals.
Spring Lake (32-9) will face Flint Powers Catholic at 5 p.m. Saturday at MSU’s McLane Stadium.
The Lakers’ girls soccer team also plays on the MSU campus for the Division 2 state championship. That game starts at 4 p.m.