By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Metro All-Stars got out to a 3-0 lead on Michigan in the championship game of Sports Fest baseball Thursday night at Bethel College and then held on for dear life.
Metro was able to hold off the Michigan All-Stars 5-3 to claim the championship.
Metro scored a run in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Kaczmarksi of Penn, who was named the Most Valuable Player.
In the fourth inning the Metro made it 3-0 when Kyle Kolat of South Bend Riley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Brian Lares of Penn doubled.
Michigan cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single by Niles' Zach Bloss, which scored Jordan Topinka of New Buffalo.
The Metro again claimed a two-run advantage with a run in the top of the fifth on a bases loaded walk.
Michigan made it a 4-2 contest in the bottom of the sixth when Will Harrington of Lakeshore crushed a solo home run.
The Metro All-Stars made it 5-3 with a run in the top of the seventh on a single by Lares off of Dowagiac's Jake Cox.
In the bottom of the seventh, Michigan scored a run on a double by Edwardsburg's Josh Getz, which scored Dowagiac's Jake Kling.
Pat Asdell earned the victory for the Metro, which allowed three runs on five hits. Nick Brady came on in the fifth and picked up a save.
Lakeshore's Nick Wheeler took the loss for Michigan. Also pitching were Bloss and Cox.