Spring Lake’s baseball run ends with shutout loss to Flint Powers Catholic in Division 2 title game

LocalSportsJournal.com

EAST LANSING – The Spring Lake Lakers’ dream season came to a disappointing end on Saturday in the Division 2 baseball state championship game.

The Lakers dropped an 11-0 decision to Flint Powers Catholic in a game played at McLane Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University.

Flint Powers scored three runs in the first inning, one in the second, four in the third and three in the fourth inning of the game, which lasted five innings.

Spring Lake managed just two hits, a leading single by senior Will May in the second inning and a two-out double by senior Zach Schlepp in the fourth inning.

Will May hustles to first base for one of two Spring Lake hits. Photo/Tim Reilly

“We have two seniors and they got our two hits, so they can walk away proud,” said Spring Lake Coach Bill Core. “We just could never get it going and it’s not the script we wanted for today, but when they get a chance to reflect and we hang that state championship runner-up banner in the gym, I think they are going to be pretty proud.”

In the meantime, Flint Powers racked up nine hits and was aided by walks and errors.

“We just couldn’t keep them off the bases,” said Core. “Our pitching wasn’t as sharp as it’s been, but that’s a good team and why they’ve been ranked No. 1 all year.”

Gavin Darling had a two-run double to highlight Flint Powers’ three-run first inning. The second inning run scored on a bases loaded walk. In the third, Fischer Hendershot played a run with a single, then came bases-loaded walk before Connor Kelly plated two runs with a single.

Isaac Sturgess had an RBI single in the fourth. Two other runs came home on Laker errors.

Hendershot was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts and two walks in five innings of work.

Maddux Kipling started for Spring Lake and lasted 2.1 innings. He allowed five hits and seven runs, six of which were earned. Oliver Smies pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three hits and four runs (one earned) and walked three. May pitched the final 1.1 innings and allowed one hit and struck out two.

“Just be ready to play, it’s one more, just be ready to play,” said Powers Coach Tom Dutkowski about his team’s mindset coming into Saturday’s final. “The kids came through, the kids worked hard, very mature, great work ethic all year long. Super good kids.”

The victory gave the veteran Powers coach Dutkowski his first state title in his 42nd year of coaching. Saturday’s state championship victory was the 873rd of his career.

Spring Lake finished 32-10 while Flint Powers was 37-6.