Hemlock made the key plays at the key times.
As a result, the Huskies captured a Division 3 regional crown by defeating the Martians 4-2 in the championship game. The Martians finished with a record of 33-9.
Hemlock (26-7) took the early advantage with two runs in the first inning and one more in the second.
The Martians left 10 men on base, and their defense didn’t help their cause, committing three errors, a stark contrast to the Huskies? play in the field.
‘Hemlock played great defense, and that was the difference in the game,? Goodrich coach Bob Foreback said.
Kirk Elsworth went 2-for-3 for Goodrich in the loss, while Max Bell took the loss on the mound despite allowing only one earned run. He allowed only two hits, but walked five while striking out six.
The Martians cruised to the regional final by routing Swan Valley 13-3 in the regional semifinals earlier in the day. Goodrich broke the game open with an eight-run sixth inning.
Craig VanWagoner led the offensive charge for Goodrich, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. Dom Rivera went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Adam Compeau went 1-for-3 with three RBI.
Nick Wesener went six innings ti pick up the win for Goodrich, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out eight.
Several Martians who played a key role in Goodrich’s earlier district win were recognized for their superior play. Matt Hughes, Elsworth, Bell, and Wesener were named to the all-district team.
Goodrich was also well-represented on the Genesee Area Conference Red Division all-league squad, as Hughes, Elsworth, and Bell were named to the first team, while Wesener, Basil Wilson, Dusty Bourassa, Rivera, and Adam Compeau were named to the honorable mention all-league team.
The Martians will return an experienced core next season, as they lose only two seniors to graduation: Bell and Nick McDonald.
Returning next year are juniors Elsworth, Compeau, Michael Skinner, VanWagoner, Renny Grant, Wesener and Ben Wilson; sophomores Basil Wilson, Hughes, and Rivera, and freshman Bourassa.