By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Grand Rapids Southern withstood a late rally by Midland Sunday afternoon to remain alive in the Michigan Senior Baseball State Tournament at Russom Fields in Dowagiac.
Midland jumped out to a 5-0 lead after a half inning of play only to have Grand Rapids Southern rally for two runs in the third, four in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a 9-5 lead into the seventh inning.
However, Midland rallied for two runs in the top half of the seventh. Midland also had the tying and winning run in scoring position before Grand Rapids was able to record the final out to advance to tonight's consolation semifinal against the winner of the Dowagiac-Harper Woods contest which began at 3 p.m.
Grand Rapids finished with 12 hits, including a home run from Matt Malewitz and a double from Chris Brouwer. Luke Glendening, Zach Lewis and Chris Feys all had two hits.
Kyle Schepel was the winning pitcher for Southern.
Midland, which is eliminated from the tournament, finished with seven hits, led by Matt Lane's double. A.J. D'olivera took the loss for Midland.
The winner of tonight's consolation semifinal will play at 6 p.m. on Monday against the loser of the the championship semifinal between Eastwood and West Branch. That game will be played at 3 p.m.
The championship game is slated for Tuesday at 3 p.m. If a second championship game is needed it will be played at 6 p.m.
Game 9
Midland 500 000 2 - 7 7 4
Southern 002 430 x - 9 12 4
Kyle Schepel (W), A.J.D'olivera (L)
2B: Lane (M), Brouwer (S)
HR: Malewitz (S)