BRIDGMAN — Lakeland conference opponents, Brandywine and Bridgman faced off in game two of the Division 3 District #87 state baseball tournament with the winner advancing to the finals later in the day.

A nearly perfect performance by the Bees stung the Bobcats 3-0.

Although Bridgman was playing on their home field they were the visitors in this contest and they came out swinging right away. Josiah Badger led off the game with a single, moved to second on a walk by Conner Magro and would later score on a double by Alex Wells giving the Bees the 1-0 edge heading into the home half of the inning.

The Bobcats tried to get things going in the bottom of the inning as Jason Andrews walked followed by a single by Austin Searles, but an inning ending double play killed any hopes the Bobcats had of scoring.

Over the next two innings the Bees managed a double by Brandon Ashley and a single by Magro, while the Bobcats managed to record two walks as their only base runners in that same span.

After striking out two of the three batters he faced in the top half of the inning, and seemingly lighting a fire with his teammates, Alex Erwin led off the bottom of the fourth with a single for the Bobcats. A walk to Brad Millin and all of the sudden the Bobcats were in business with runners on first and second with nobody out.

A bunt by Michael Schoenleber failed to mover the runners over as Bridgman’s pitcher, Tyler Gnodtke fielded the bunt cleanly and was able to throw to third in time to get the lead runner. After a two-out walk to Kyle Duncan loaded the bases, Brian Kline drove a ball deep in the gap of right center but Bridgman’s Wells was able to track it down and end what turned out to be Brandywine’s best opportunity to score.

Bridgman added runs in the fifth and seventh innings increasing their lead to 3-0 while the Bobcats, after their bases loaded opportunity in the fourth inning, only managed one more base runner over the last three innings as Gnodtke retired nine consecutive Bobcats to end the game.

“I thought we played well, but Bridgman played great,” said Brandywine coach David Sidenbender. “The played pretty much perfect and made every play they had to make. I think both teams are pretty even; they just made more plays in the end. They got the two out hits and we didn’t.”

Brandywine finishes their season with a record of 20-14 while Bridgman (22-5) advances to face Berrien Springs (24-10), a 10-0 winner over Cassopolis in the first district semi-final, in the Division 3 district final.

Semifinals

Bridgman 100 010 1 – 3 7 0

Brandywine 000 000 0 – 0 3 2

Tyler Gnodtke (W, 5-2) and Brady Wasko; Alex Erwin (L, 7-6) and Austin Searles.

2B: Conner Magro (BRID), Brandon Ashley (BRID)

Records: Bridgman 22-6, Brandywine 20-14

Division 3 softball

BRIDGMAN — Maddy Siebenmark tossed a two-hitter as host Bridgman eliminated the Brandywine softball team from the state tournament 4-0 in the Division 3 District semifinals.

Leading just 1-0 through five innings, the Bees sealed the victory with a three-run sixth inning.

The Bobcats finish the year at 8-23.

Semifinals

Bridgman 001 003 0 – 4 4 0

Brnadywine 000 000 0 – 0 2 3

Maddy Siebenmark (W, 13-9) and Winnie Scheer; Brande Overholt (L) and Rachael Ort.

2B: Taylor Tuszynski (BRID).

Records: Bridgman 22-13, Brandywine 8-23