Although they lost a number of players from last year’s league champions, the Goodrich baseball team served notice it is still a foe to be reckoned with.
The Martians opened defense of their Genesee Area Conference Red Division championship by sweeping host Bendle in an April 6 doubleheader, taking the opener 11-1 and the nightcap 15-0.
Kirk Elsworth put a spark in the Martians? offense by driving in five runs combined in the twin bill.
In a non-league contest April 1, the Martians scored three runs in the third inning and two in the sixth on their way to their first win of the season, defeating the host Oxford Wildcats 5-2.
Goodrich spread the hitting around in the contest, with five different players getting a hit: Max Bell, Elsworth, Adam Compeau, Dusty Bourassa, and Renny Grant.
Bell picked up the win on the mound, allowing two hits and no runs in four innings while striking out eight. Basil Wilson finished out the game for Goodrich.
In their season opener March 31, the Martians faced a tough opponent in the form of Lapeer West standout Will Jostock. Jostock, widely regarded as a future pro prospect, held the Martians to three hits as the Panthers earned a 6-1 win.
Dom Rivera was tagged with the loss for Goodrich in relief of Wilson, giving up three runs in one inning of work.