Sports

Opening Day: Fenton, Lake Fenton Baseball Start Season

Local squads looking to put together solid seasons.

It’s been a cold start to the season for area baseball teams. However, coaches hope the squads will heat up quicker than the weather.

and faced off Thursday in both teams first action of the year. The Blue Devils defeated the Tigers 3-1 in the opening game of a doubleheader. Fenton was leading 11-0 in the nightcap when the game was called because of darkness after four innings.

In the opener, Sean Rusaw scored Fenton's lone run as he singled, stole second and later scored on a RBI groundout.

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Lake Fenton strung together three singles in the fourth inning from Cory Pierce, Spencer Quick, along with a 2-RBI single from Devin Evans. They added another run in fifth inning off a walk and an error.

Blake Bourdeau started the game for the Blue Devils, and Mitch Kirk took over in the fourth inning for the win.

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Both teams now head into spring break, but hope to be ready when the season resumes.

The Tigers return as a team that went 20-15 last year. Fenton started 18-9 and then struggled down the stretch.

Fenton coach Chad Logan said he likes his squad this year even if it might not include any elite players.

 "They are a good group,” he said. “They work hard and they listen.”

Logan said the strength of the team will be pitching and defense, while the team will have to work to put up runs.

The squad has a strong senior class that includes Eric Mowery, Steven Rachor, Jamie Garcia and Rusaw.

The team has practiced outside a handful of times and hopes that it warms up when the team returns to action after spring break.

“It’s been tough practicing inside. You can’t do much,” Mowery said. “It’s great anytime you can get outside and do baseball stuff.”

The Lake Fenton squad returns seven players from a team that went 13-19 overall and won a district championship.

Senior four-year varsity player Mitch Kirk, who will pitch and play centerfield, will lead the squad.

Fellow seniors  Bourdeau (2B-P), Evans (SS), Quick (1B-Utility) and Nate Franks (P-OF) will also provide plenty of help.

“I expect our senior pitchers will have to perform well for us to be successful,” said Judson, who will coach the team with Bob Holec, who he considers a co-coach more than an assistant.

Junior Tyler Hammond (P-2B) Sophomore Wyatt Wilson (C) also return.

“We graduated nine seniors last year, and will need everyone to pick up the slack caused by their graduation,” Judson said.


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