By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - A suicide squeeze bunt in the top of the seventh lifted Eastwood to a 3-2 victory over Midland in the opening round of the Michigan Senior Baseball State Tournament at Russom Fields in Dowagiac on Friday afternoon.
Eastwood advances to Saturday's second round match up against Harper Woods, a 6-5 winner over previously undefeated Melvindale in the opening game of the tournament Friday morning.
Midland grabbed a 1-0 lead after Eastwood had runners at second and third with one out in the top half of the first inning.
Eastwood scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, including a home run by Ryan Mayne.
Midland rallied to tie the score at 2-2 with a run in the bottom half of the third inning.
The game remained tied until the top of the seventh when Eastwood scored to advance.
Jeremy Followell picked up the victory for Eastwood as he scattered nine hits.
Brian Kaufman took the loss for Midland as he allowed seven hits.
Mayne had a single to go along with his home run, while Andrew Taylor finished with two hits.
Casey Corbet and Kaufman both had a double to lead Midland, while Danny Wright had a pair of singles.
Midland will now play against Melvindale on Saturday morning in the first game of the day at 9.
The second consolation final will be held at noon with the championship quarterfinals scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Gladstone and West Branch were next up at 3 p.m. today with host Dowagiac taking on Grand Rapids Southern at 6 p.m.
Game 2
Eastwood 002 000 1 - 3 7 1
Midland 101 000 0 - 1 9 2
Jeremy Followell (W), Brian Kaufman (L)
2B: Casey Corbet (M), Kaufman (M)
HR: Ryan Mayne (E)
Melvindale…5
Harper Woods…6
The Michigan Senior Baseball State Tournament started with a bang, literally, as Nick Cullen hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth to propel Harper Woods to the 6-5 victory.
Cullen, who had two home runs in the game, gave Harper Creek, which is undefeated, a win in the opening game of the tournament over the previously undefeated Melvindale.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning, however, Harper Woods grabbed a 5-4 lead after two innings of play with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Both teams settled down and the score remained 5-4 until the sixth inning.
Tyler Santure homered in the top of the sixth to tie the score at 5-5.
Cullen then hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the sixth to send Harper Woods into the second round on Saturday.
Blake Smith did not allow a run after the second inning and picked up the mound victory.
Smith allowed five runs on seven hits. Harper Woods committed three errors behind him, all in the early innings of the contest.
Besides Cullen's two home runs, Harper Woods also got a triple from Tony Fazi and singles from Chris McCarthy, Anthony Bevere and Jason Mallouf.
Joe Vance suffered the loss for Melvindale, which entered the tournament with a 28-0 record.
Melvindale finished with five runs on seven hits. The squad committed four errors.
Zack Fowler had a triple for Melvindale. Thomas Roberts had a pair of singles.
Also collecting hits were Vance, Danny Aperson and Mike Nasceif.
Harper Woods now plays Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. against the winner of the Midland/Eastwood game.
Game 1
Melvindale 310 001 0 - 5 7 4
Harper Woods 320 001 x - 6 6 3
Blake Smith (W), Joe Vance (L)
3B: Fowler (M), Fazi (HW)
HR: Santure (M), Cullen (HW) 2