EAST LANSING — The Buchanan Bucks rallied from a three-run deficit to advance to their first state championship game in 30 years Friday.

The Bucks (24-7) defeated Gladstone 6-4 in the Division 3 semifinals  and will face Jackson Lumen Christi (23-16) today at 2:30 p.m. at Michigan State University.

Down 3-0 after two innings, Buchanan scored twice in the bottom of the third to cut the Gladstone (28-10) lead to a single run.

Gladstone added a run in the top of the fourth to make it 4-2 before the Bucks exploded for three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take their first lead of the game.

Kyle Leazenby, who replaced starter Jarrett Thomas in the third inning, hit a two-run double to left centerfield to tie the game at 4-4 and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Chad Adkerson to give Buchanan a 5-4 lead.

The Bucks added a run in the sixth as Gavin Morris doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josiah Smith.

Leazenby worked the final five innings allowing just one run. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Adkerson was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs, while Christian Hall was 2-for-3. Dalton Riddle added a triple.

The Bucks will be seeking their first state championship since 1985. Buchanan honored that team in May at its annual invitational.

 

Division 3 Baseball

At Michigan State University

Semifinals

BUCHANAN 6, GLADSTONE 4

Gladstone       030     100     0 – 4 8 1

Buchanan       002     031     x – 6 8 0

Jarrett Thomas, Kyle Leazenby (W, 3); Jake Peterson (L)

2B: Jarrett Thomas (BU), Gavin Morris (BU)

3B: Dalton Riddle (BU)

Varsity records: Buchanan 24-7, Gladstone 28-10.