By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
THREE OAKS – Saturday's Division 4 District final game between Brandywine and Berrien Springs proved that a No. 1 ranking does not mean a thing.
The Bobcats put on a stellar performance and ended the Shamrocks' season with 5-3 victory, advancing them to next Saturday's regional tournament.
Berrien, which ends the season with a 31-8 record, has been ranked in the top spot for most of the season and are the defending state champions.
Dan Reidenbach put on a strong performance at the mound for Brandywine, giving up just five hits. Reidenbach is now 8-3.
Brandywine, now 24-12, opened the scoring in the first inning when they scored on a passed ball. In the second, the Bobcats scored on a wild pitch. The Shamrocks rallied and scored two runs in the fourth, tying the game 2-2, but Berrien made some big errors in the fifth inning, which allowed the Bobcats to score one run and take the 3-2 lead. In the seventh, Brandywine scored two additional runs, while the Shamrocks scored just one in the bottom of the inning.
The Bobcats will face Kalamazoo Christian at Berrien Springs High School on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Brandywine vs. Buchanan
Brandywine posted an 8-2 win over Buchanan in the first semifinal game of the day Saturday morning.
Jake Harris took the win on the mound, giving up five hits and striking out eight Buck batters. Tyler Knisley suffered the loss.
Championship Game
Brandywine 110 010 2 – 5 3 3
Berrien Springs 000 200 1 – 3 5 3
WP – Dan Reidenbach (8-3) and Cam Ondresky
LP – Chris Hass, Joe Krugh (L, 2) and Darius Whitehead.
2B: Joe Krugh (BER).
Records: Brandywine 24-12, Berrien Springs 31-8.
First Semifinal
Buchanan 000 000 2 – 2 5 6
Brandywine 202 310 x – 8 9 1
WP – Jake Harris (9-5)and Cam Ondresky
LP – Tyler Knisley and Josh Mills
2B: Evan Cauffman (BU).
Records: Buchanan 8-19, Brandywine 23-12.
Second Semifinal
Berrien Springs 100 030 0 – 4 7 2
Bridgman 002 010 0 – 3 7 0
WP – Kolby Wood, Chris Hass (6) and Darius Whitehead
LP – Zac Nemitz and Jon Malm.
2B: Joe Krush (BER).
Records: Bridgman 27-8, Berrien Springs 31-7.