Brandon’s varsity baseball team could not get untracked in their Division 2 district final against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Saturday, June 3.
The Eaglets scored three runs in the first inning and four more in the second inning on their way to defeating the Blackhawks 12-1 in a five-inning game at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep. Brandon ended its season with a record of 14-20.
The Blackhawks defeated Macomb Lutheran North 11-0 earlier in the day to advance to the title game.
Jeff Gorecki powered the Eaglets (20-13) to a 3-0 first-inning lead with a three-run homer, and Chris Morris shut down the Blackhawks, allowing them just three hits.
Andrew Hyde accounted for the Blackhawks? only scoring with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Andy Harding and Curtis Byers had the other Brandon hits of the game with a double and single, respectively.
Brandon coach Ron Wagner said he thought the team was starting to hit its stride later in the season after playing a tough stretch of games following spring break. He thought the Blackhawks had a chance against St. Mary’s, but the Eaglets? fast start in the district final put a damper on those plans.
‘It all started around the spring break,? he said. ‘We were playing catch-up from there. Toward the end of the season, I thought we were playing well.?
Brandon had three representatives on the recently announced all-league team. Harding was named to the first team as an outfielder, while Jon Eggert made second team as a first baseman and Ray Reynolds was named honorable mention as a catcher.
In addition, Harding was named to the all-district first team, and Matt Cinader and Travis Spry were named to the all-district academic team.