By By TOM NYHUIS and SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Cassopolis All-Stars took one on the chin in opening round play of the District 15, 13-14 year old Little League tournament played at Thomas Stadium in Niles on Saturday.
After the two-hour game it was Vicksburg routing Cassopolis 22-7 in five innings.
Vicksburg opened the game with four runs in the top of the first off starting pitcher Brendin Davis and didn't look back as they held Cassopolis scoreless through the first two innings of play while tacking on three more runs in the second.
Cassopolis’ bid to score in the second inning was cut down at the plate after a wild pitch by winning pitcher Dylan Kloosterman. Catcher Alex LaPorte scrambled for the loose pitch and nailed Ryan Nickel, who was standing at third with two outs, at the dish with Klossterman making the tag.
Cassopolis scratched out a their first run in the third with two outs after a walk and two throwing errors by Vicksburg that allowed Nathan Blad to come around from first and leave his team trailing 9-1.
Vicksburg added seven runs in the fourth and another six in the fifth.
Cass was limited to just four hits in the game with Nickel picking up two, with Blad and Dewight Ottmen each picking up a base hit.
Vicksburg (1-0) now advances in the winners bracket to Monday’s game where they will take on the Niles All-Stars at 8:15 p.m.
Cass (0-1) will square off against Constantine (0-1), a 10-11 loser to Decatur (1-0), in Saturday's second game of the day. That game will be at 6 p.m. also on Monday at Thomas Stadium.
In other games on Saturday, Mendon defeated Lawton-Marcellus-Paw Paw 7-6 and Three Rivers blanked Schoolcraft 18-0.
Decatur…11
Constantine…10
John Mann picked up the victory for Decatur as well as led the team offensively with a triple and a single.
Decatur also got a double and a single from Alex Bointnott.
Cory King had two hits for Constantine. Jake Bowen took the loss.
Lawton-Marcellus-Paw Paw…6
Mendon…7
Gabe Thompkins doubled and singled for Mendon, which also got two hits from Glen Batten and Cody Bingaman. Batten was also the winning pitcher.
Corbin Olson tripled for LMP. Justin Sonnevil and Dalton Brown each had two hits.
Three Rivers…18
Schoolcraft…0
Lance Muelberger tossed a no-hitter for Three Rivers.
He also homered and had three singles.
Eric Ellis, Ethan Madison and Chris Henneman all had doubles for Three Rivers.
Tanner Wilson had five hits, while Chris Henneman had three singles and Madison a pair of singles.
Other games
Over in Decatur, Cassopolis won its opening game of the Michigan District 15 9-10 Baseball Tournament.
Cassopolis defeated Lawton in pool play at Decatur on Saturday, 4-2.
Niles F.O.P. was not as fortunate as it dropped a 22-1 decision to Mattawan.
In the 11-12 Division, Decatur was an 11-10 winner over Constantine, while Schoolcraft defeated Cassopolis 22-7
In games scheduled to Tuesday night, Decatur will play at Niles at 8 p.m.
In 11-12 softball, Mattawan reached the title game by defeating Dowagiac 17-0, Vicksburg 21-1 and Schoolcraft 8-1.
Dowagiac defeated Centreville 19-14, but was eliminated from the tournament by Constantine, 6-0.
Vicksburg will take on host Mattawan tonight for the 11-12 championship.
Decatur won the 15-16 softball district title by forfeit. The all-star team will travel to Grand Rapids to play in the state tournament at Pinery Park beginning on July 20.