Cougars win state BPA championship
LANSING – The Berrien County Cougars, a 13U travel baseball team in its first season, captured the BPA state championship last weekend with a 7-5 victory over the Niles Sluggers.
The Cougars will make a return trip to Lansing July 21-25 to compete in the World Series.
The Cougars went 5-0 to win the championship.
They opened up with a 7-4 win over the Mid-Michigan Bandits before blanking the West Michigan Broncos 17-0.
In a rematch with the Broncos, the Cougars were victorious again, this time 6-4.
In the semifinals, the Cougars blanked Morgan’s Hitting Club 5-0.
Cal Ripken Baseball
CLINTON TOWNSHIP – The Howard Township 11-year-old All-Stars only had to win three games and survive a thunderstorm during the championship to earn its state title.
The All-Stars toppled Brandywine in its first game and then Lanse Cruese and Huron Valley to advance to the title game.
Brandywine also reached the championship game with a 2-1 record, its opening game loss the only blemish on its slate.
A thunderstorm halted the championship game with Howard Township up two runs.
After a meeting in the press box, Howard Township came home with the state championship and a plaque to prove it.
Brandywine, which is hosting the regional July 23-26, was already scheduled to play in it.