JUST ONE RUN SHORT 9-10 State Title Game Ends On Double Play MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford 9-10 boys had been living on the edge for the entire state tournament run this week in Mattawan. All four of their victories, including wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals, came down to the very last out. So, why wouldn't Thursday's state championship game follow the same script? Well, it did, but unfortunately for the Maize and Blue, North Saginaw Township made the final big play at the end and held to to win the state championship, 4-3. The early part of the game was frustrating for Kingsford, as Saginaw pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach held the boys off the scoreboard. Ten of the twelve outs that were recorded came on strikeouts, and even though Kingsford got four men on via the walk, the Maize and Blue could not score. But Schwellenbach reached his pitch count in the fifth inning, and Kingsford rallied against reliever Brandon Smith. The boys were still behind by three runs entering the final inning, but they didn't give up. Kingsford started a rally in the top of the sixth as Allen Linn and Darren Wood drew walks. Marc McCole hit a single to load up the bases for Wes McLain, who got on with a fielder's choice, and two runs scored on the play. Sawyer Perpich followed with a hit, and so Kingsford had runners at the corners with one out when the North Saginaw middle infield made an outstanding play...a 6-4-3 double play....to end the Flivver comeback. Darren Wood and Austin VanPembrook shared pitching duties for Kingsford, allowing  a combined seven hits, striking out a couple and walking two. Kingsford offense managed only three hits in the game, singles by McLain, McCole and Perpich.  It was North Saginaw Township's second state championship this summer, and they won both at the expense of Dickinson County teams. North Saginaw Township's 11-year-old's beat Norway in the state finals in Gladstone two weeks ago. Still, it was a great run for Kingsford. When All-Star's began in early July, there were nearly 400 teams competing in the 9-10 boys tournaments. The 16 district champions advanced to this tournament, and Kingsford was second-best. Congratulations to Coach Chad McCole and the boys on an exciting season.                         All pictures are courtesy of Michigan District 15 Little League. Click here  to see more photos, and to buy copies of photos from the tournament.

9-10 BOYS BASEBALL STATE TOURNEY At Mattawan, Mich. Kingsford 5, Muskegon Roosevelt Park 4 Kingsford 7, Petoskey 6 Grosse Pointe Park 11, Kingsford 5 Quarterfinals: Kingsford 5, West Portage 4 Semifinals: Kingsford 7, Vicksburg 6 Championship: North Saginaw Township 4, Kingsford 3

SENSATIONAL SEMIFINAL!                       Kingsford pitcher Chase Kreski throws during Wednesday's 7-6 state semifinal win over Vicksburg. Picture courtesy of Michigan District 15. Click here  to see more pictures. You can also purchase pictures there. Kingsford To Play For State Chanpionship MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10)  continue to do things the hard way at the state baseball tournament in Mattawan, but the boys keep getting it done. After building an early lead, the Kingsford boys had to hang on for dear life Wednesday to beat the host Vicksburg Bulldogs, 7-6, in an exciting state semifinal match in southwest lower Michigan. The game ended with Vicksburg threatening to tie it in the top of the sixth inning. Vicksburg's Trent Eggerding got a base hit to center, but Kingsford outfielder Austin VanPembrook hustled to get the ball, and he threw a strike to catcher Sawyer Perpich. Perpich put on the tag to cut down Vicksburg's Drew Hamilton, who was trying to score the potential game-tying run. Game over! "I thought we had a chance to throw him out," Kingsford manager John Bostwick told the Kalamazoo Gazette newspaper after the game. (Click here  to read the Gazette story on the game). "But it's pretty tough for a 10-year-old to make the catch, then make the throw, and it's hard for the catcher to make the tag." Fortunately, the boys executed. Early in the game, Kingsford took a 2-0 lead, before the team in Red and White came through with three runs in the fourth inning on hits by Ryan Morgan, Bryce O'Neil and Garrett Ketelaar. Bulldogs lead, 3-2. <<<Austin VanPembrook at the plate Wednesday night against Vicksburg. But Kingsford responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, then the boys added two runs in the bottom of the fifth. So, it was a 7-3 Kingsford lead. In the sixth inning, though, Vicksburg hit the ball hard. The first fly was caught by left fielder Daunte Fortner. But after a double put a man on base, Vicksburg's Adam Henderson cranked a two-run homer over the center field fence to cut Kingsford's lead to 7-5. Vicksburg continued to hit the ball hard with another double and another fly ball to Fortner. Then a single put two men on, and a double steal gave Vicksburg the chance to tie or even take the lead. But that's when the Flivvers came up with the big play at the plate, and the Maize and Blue were dancing to the title game. It was Kingsford's fourth win of the state tournament, and all four of the victories have come by one run (either 5-4 or 7-6). Chase Kreski and Wes McLain shared pitching duties for Kingsford allowing a combined eight hits, striking out seven, and walking six batters. Kingsford's Aden Johnson had two hits, while offense Van Pembrook, Ethan LaVarnway, Jon Sturm, Darren Wood, Nick McCole, and McLain all added one base hit each.                   The Kingsford boys pile on during Wednesday's state semifinal game.

Kingsford Boys Top West Portage In Thriller                   Sawyer Perpich is at the plate for Kingsford at the state tournament in Mattawan. He had the game-winning triple on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of District 15 Little League. Click here  to see and purchase more pictures. MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10) advanced to the state final four Tuesday night, but it wasn't easy. Kingsford got off to a good start by scoring four runs in the first inning, which is par for the course for these boys in this tournament. But, also par for the course, the guys had to hang on at the end to beat West Portage, 5-4, in the state quarterfinals. The Kalamazoo-area team chipped away at Kingsford's lead until finally tying the game at 4-4 in the third inning. Then in the fifth inning, Marc McCole reached base on an errror and scored on a long triple to center field by Sawyer Perpich. In the sixth inning, Austin VanPembrook was on the mound and easily got the first two outs. But the third out was a bit more painful as the West Portage batter crushed a ball right into the belly of McCole at third base. Somehow, he held onto the ball with his bare hand, and Kingsford held on for the 5-4 win. Kingsford again pitched-by-committee, due to Little League's pitching restrictions. Jordan Monosso, Chase Kreski, Darren Wood, and VanPembrook combined on a five-hitter. Offensively, Aden Johnston, McCole, Allen Linn, VanPembrook, Monosso and Perpich all got base hits, with Perpich getting two. Kingsford will play Vicksburg in the state semifinals Wednesday night at 5 CT/ 6 ET in Mattawan. Vicksburg eliminated the Upper Peninsula's other team. Portage Lake out of Houghton, 11-1.

Kingsford Boys Lose Final Pool Play Game MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10) lost their final pool play game on Monday, but still advanced to the state quarterfinal round at the state tournament in Mattawan. Kingsford lost to Grosse Pointe Park, 11-5, in a game that gave the downstate team first place in the pool. But knowing that the boys had already qualified for the Final Eight, Kingsford used three pitchers to get through this game. Jordan Monosso, Daunte Fortner, and Aden Johnston combined to allow ten singles, five walks, and they struck out three batters. Offensively, Kingsford managed to get four base hits. Darren Wood had two of them (a double and single), while Wes McLain and Nick McCole each had singles. Despite the loss, Kingsford advanced to the state quarterfinals and will face West Portage out of Kalamazoo Tuesday night at 6 p.m. Mattawan time (5 CT). The Upper Peninsula's other team, Portage Lake out of Houghton, also won on Monday, beating Tecumseh, 6-5. Portage Lake also advanced to the quarterfinals, and will face Vicksburg in Tuesday's semifinal round.

Kingsford Boys Win; Advance To Quarters MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10) won their second straight state tournament game on Sunday, beating Petoskey, 7-6. The win guarantees Kingsford a spot in the state quarterfinals regardless of how they do in Monday's game. Kingsford wasted no time in grabbing the lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Austin VanPembrook led off with a triple, then Ethan LaVarnway put down a perfect bunt and the Petoskey fielder chose not to throw the ball. With runners at the corners, Allen Lind ripped a single to score both runners. Sawyer Perpich then followed with an RBI hit to make it 3-0. The game went back and forth from there, and Kingsford found itself clining to a 7-6 lead with Petoskey batting in the sixth inning. Petoskey loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Kingsford relief pitcher Darren Wood sttruck out the next two batters to end the game and send the Maize and Blue into the state quarterfinal round. Chase Kreski, VanPembrook, and Wood combined on the mound victory, allowing four hits, three walks, and striking out nine batters.  Offensively, besides Lind's triple, LaVarnway had two singles, Wood had a double and two singles; Perpich had two singles, and Daunte Fortner had a single. The Upper Peninsula's other team in this tournament, Portage Lake out of Houghton, beat Ira Township (Monroe area), 15-8.

Kingsford Boys Win State Tourney Opener                     The Kingsford boys goof off for the camera on Saturday. Picture courtesy of  District 15 LL. Click here to visit their site, where you can buy photos. MATTAWAN, Mich.----The Kingsford 9-10 boys built an early 4-0 lead Saturday, then had to score a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 5-4 win over Muskegon Roosevelt Park at the state tournament in downstate Mattawan. Austin VanPembrook came to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the game tied at 4-4. With a 1-1 count on him, VanPembrook hit a fly-ball to the right field which looked like a solid double....but VanPembrook came all the way around to score the winning run thanks to two errors on the play. Kingsford got on the board early when Darren Wood hit a two RBI double in the first inning. Two more runs were scored in the second and Kingsford went into the top of the third with a 4 -0 lead. But Roosevelt Park scored three in the top of the third to make it 4-3, and it remained that way until the top of the sixth. That's when the District 12 Champs scored the tying run, setting up VanPembrook's dramatics in the bottom half of the sixth. Kingsford used five different pitcher and Roosevelt Park used six, as both teams tried to save pitchers under Little League's pitching restrictions. CChase Kreski, Jordan Monosso, Darren Wood, VanPembrook, and Aden Johnston all threw for the Maize and Blue.  Offensively, Kingsford's hits came from VanPembrook (single, triple), Wes Mclain (double), Wood (double), Kreski (double), and Daunte Fortner (single).

Kingsford Wins District Championship, 11-0 NORWAY---The Kingsford 9-10 boys got off to a good start for the second straight night, then cruised to an 11-0 win over Schaffer to win the district championship. The result sends the Maize And Blue into the state tournament in downstate Mattawan. Kingsford scored two runs in the first inning, then blew the game open with seven runs in the second inning. Unfortunately for Schaffer, they made three errors during that inning, and Kingsford got three base hits in a bat-around inning that made it 9-0. Darren Wood got the win on the mound, while Logan Heim took the loss for Schaffer. The Schaffer boys managed only three hits, the biggest of which was a double by Heim to the left field fence in the first inning. He was stranded there, however, and when Kingsford scored twice in the fourth inning, the game was called.             Left photo: Chase Kreski of Kingsford pitched into the fifth inning before reaching his pitch count in Wednesday's game. Right photo: Kingsford infielders (Marc McCole, Ethan LaVarnway, Darren Wood and Allen Linn) rally around new pitcher Jordan Monosso while he is warming up in the game against Schaffer. (Nancy McCole photos)

MINOR 9-10 BASEBALL DISTRICTS District Finals at Marion Park, Norway Kingsford 10, Gladstone 5 (Gladstone eliminated) Schaffer 8, Norway 7 Kingsford 10, Norway 0 (Norway eliminated) Kingsford 13, Schaffer 3 (5 Innings) Title: Kingsford 11, Schaffer 0 (4 Innings) Area Tournament at Howes Field, Gladstone Schaffer 19, Tri-County 10 (7 Innings) Gladstone 19, Munising 1 Schaffer 1, Gladstone 0 (Schaffer wins on forfeit) Tri-County 14, Munising 13 (7 Innings) Munising eliminated Gladstone 15, Tri-County 2, Tri-County eliminated (Gladstone to district finals) Area Tournament at Marion Park, Norway Norway 13, Iron County 2 Kingsford 2, Iron Mountain North 0 Norway 7, Kingsford 4 Iron Mountain North 10, Iron County 0 (IC eliminated) Kingsford 4, Iron Mountain North 0 (IM eliminated) (Kingsford to district finals) KINGSFORD ADVANCES TO STATE TOURNAMENT IN MATTAWAN JULY 30 Coaches/Managers: Send game information and a photo or two when you get home from the game each night to [email protected]. The information will then be posted on this page for all to see!

Kingsford Wins; Winner-Take-All Thursday NORWAY---The Kingsford and Schaffer Minor Boys (age 9-10) finally got to play some baseball Wednesday night after having their game rained out on two straight evenings. And after the game ended on Wednesday, the result meant that the kids would get to play a little more baseball on Thursday...this time, with a trip to the state tournament squarely on the line. Kingsford jumped to a big lead early in the game and cruised to a 13-3 win over Schaffer in a game that was called by the mercy rule in the fifth inning. But all that did was set up a winner-take-all championship game on Thursday, and Schaffer will have its best pitcher available to throw the ball at Norway's Marion Park. Logan Heim, who baffled Norway for several innings in last Saturday's upset Schaffer win, will be eligible to pitch Thursday. Kingsford wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard on Wednesday, as an error scored one run and Alan Linn drove in the other. Then in the second inning, Kingsford broke it open with five runs. Two of then scored on a double by Austin Van Pembrock, and another two scored on a triple by Darren Wood. In the third inning, Kingsford added two more runs, as Aden Johnston singled home one run and Nick McCole walked to force in another run. But pitcher Chase Kreski reached his pitch count limit in the fifth inning, and Schaffer went to work offensively. Desmond Wandasega got a hit and eventually scored on a wild pitch, and Kadin Mustafva and Logan Heim each had RBI singles to bring Schaffer to within 9-3. But in the bottom of the fifth, Kingsford scored four times, with the final runs coming home on singles by Daunte Foster and Kreski. Mike Hall takes the loss on the mound for Schaffer.                   Schaffer's All-Stars will play for a district title Thursday night against Kingsford. Listen to the game on AM-600 at 7:00 E.T.! (Lisa Welch photo)

Kingsford Knocks Out Norway; Schaffer Next NORWAY---The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10) eliminated the Yooper Tournament Champions on their home field Sunday night. Kingsford blanked Norway, 10-0, at Marion Park. Daunte Fortner went the distance on the mound for Kingsford, allowing only one base hit, walking five, and striking out four. It was the first time he pitched on the mound during this tournament, and he did well. Fortner was also helped by his defense, which made no errors. Kingsford's offense came from Fortner and Darren Wood, with two singles apiece. Austin Van Pembrook, Ethan LaVarnway, Marc McCole and Nick McCole also had hits, and Wes McLain sent everyone home early with a two-run single in the fourth. Three Norway pitchers (Trey Doda, Micah Wilson, and Tyler Laurin) combined to allow nine hits, strike out four, and walk five batters. Hunter Riley had Norway's only hit.                     Kingsford's Marc McCole (7) pops up Saturday night to short as Gladstone catcher Brad Spindler watches. Kingsford won the game, 10-5, then on Sunday, Kingsford beat Norway, 10-0, to advance to the district final.

LATE-NIGHT SHOCKER Schaffer Upsets 'Yooper Champion Norway NORWAY---It's a good thing that it's illegal to place bets on Little League Baseball games. Otherwise, a lot of people would have lost a lot of money late Saturday night when the Schaffer Minor Boys (age 9-10) played undefeated Norway at Marion Park. Remember that Schaffer had lost to Gladstone, 12-1, but advanced to the district finals only because Gladstone had used an ineligbile player. Remember that Norway had won the Yooper Tournament in Escanaba in late June, handily beating the Schaffer boys along the way. And remember that Norway was playing on its home field, and probably thinking about a trip downstate. Well, hold the phone. These Schaffer boys, who constantly chant for their teammates in the dugout no matter what the score, pulled a big surprise Saturday night. They raced to a 7-0 lead and held on for dear life at the end, stunning Norway, 8-7. These are 9 and 10 year old kids, remember. But this is kind of like a #16 seed beating a top seed in the NCAA basketball tournament. And while they did not earn the win over Gladstone, the Schaffer boys certainly earned this one the old-fashioned way. Logan Heim pitched well early for Schaffer, and the boys gave him a big lead early on. But when Heim reached his 75-pitch limit in the fourth inning, the little league from southwestern Delta County had to hang on. Mike Hall, Sam Hall, and Kadin Mustafa came on to pitch...and Norway had runners at the corners in the final inning before one heart-stopping play at second ended it. Norway used five pitchers in the loss. Brian Stanchina was the top hitter with two base hits. Schaffer got a double and single from Sam Hall, and Josh Welch and Mike Hall each got singles. KINGSFORD 10, GLADSTONE 5---The Kingsford Minor Boys got another big game from Sawyer Perpich and eliminated the Gladstone boys Saturday night in Norway. Perpich had a single, double, and two runs batted in to lead the Blue offense. Logan Hardwick had two hits and two walks for Gladstone. Clay Cole, Gavin Schwalbach and Brad Spindler also had base hits.

Gladstone Boys Advance To District Finals GLADSTONE---The Gladstone 9-10 boys took out their frustrations on Tri-County Friday night, cruising to a 15-2 win to advance to the district finals. The Gladstone boys had to play this game because they were forced to forfeit Thursday's 12-1 win over Schaffer because they used an ineligible player. In Friday's game, Tri-County scored a run in the top of the first inning, then Gladstone rolled up eleven runs in the bottom of the inning. The game was eventually called on the mercy rule in the middle of the fourth inning. KINGSFORD 4, IRON MOUNTAIN NORTH 0---Sawyer Perpich had two hits and drove in two runs as Kingsford's 9-10 boys eliminated Iron Mountain North, 4-0, Friday night at Norway's Marion Park. Perpich ripped a shot off the left-center field fence in the fifth inning to help Kingsford pull away. Austin Van Pembrock and Chase Kreski combined to throw a two-hitter, as Van Pembrock pitched the first four innings and Kreski finished up. They combined to strike out 13 batters (also walked 14).

Gladstone Mercies Schaffer But Forfeits                    Gladstone's Kyle Hansen (14) slides past Schaffer catcher Kadin Mustafa during Thursday night's district tournament game. (Vicky Welch photo) GLADSTONE---The Gladstone Minor Boys (age 9-10) won a game on the field Thursday night, but then had the win taken away from them because of a technical boundary violation. Gladstone beat Schaffer, 12-1, in a game that was shortened by the mercy rule after five innings. But then after the game, Schaffer protested that Gladstone used an ineligible player. District Ten Administrator Don Howes investigated, and found the violation. "Gladstone had one boy who lives 1/16th of a mile outside of the Gladstone territory in the Riverland area," Howes said. "The Little League committee in Indianapolis reviewed the information, and determined that Gladstone must forfeit the game." The boy, who has played in the Gladstone Little League system for three years, will not be allowed to play in the rest of the tournament. So, instead of going to the district finals in Norway, Gladstone will have to win a loser's bracket game on Friday. "I feel bad about this," Howes said. "It wasn't something that was done on purpose. Both league presidents agreed on that. But, it's right there in black and white. It's the rule." In the game itself, Gladstone scored two runs in the first inning, one of them on a Rudy Peterson single. Schaffer scored one run in the bottom of the inning when Ryan Arndt led off with an infield single and scored on a wild pitch. <<<Schaffer pitcher Matt Richer. Gladstone added three runs in the second inning, two in the third, one in the fourth, and four more runs in the fifth inning. Kyle Hansen's two-run single in the third inning was the biggest hit of the game. Clay Cole added an RBI single, and Spencer Murray ripped a double to the center field fence. Gladstone used four pitchers: Tyson Seymour, Craig Kamin, Brad Spindler, and Logan Hardwick. All stayed under the 35-pitch limit, which allows them to pitch without the need of a day of rest. But due to Schaffer's protest, and the subsequent forfeit, the Gladstone pitchers will be throwing Friday night in a loser's bracket game against Tri-County. Tri-County outlasted Munising, 14-13, in seven innings, to win Thursday's second game.                     Gladstone's Rudy Peterson steals second during Thursday's game. Below photo: Schaffer's Brad Vandermissen (16) is tagged out by Gladstone shortstop Craig Kamin. (Vicky Welch photos)                   NORWAY 7, KINGSFORD 4---Norway advanced to the district finals by topping Kingsford, 7-4. Tyler Laurin ripped a two-run double to the left-center field fence, and Ben Schneider had three runs batted in for Norway. Nine-year-old pitchers Hunter Riley and Billy Pellegrini got the ball for Norway, with Tre Dona coming on in relief to stop a Kingsford rally late in the game. In the second game, Iron Mountain North eliminated Iron County, 10-0.

Tournament Games Cancelled By Rain                    Gladstone's Howes Field was soggy on Wednesday. The 9-10 boys Little League games scheduled there were postponed until Thursday. The 9-10 boys Little League games in Norway were postponed as well. "Maybe if we played on submarines, we could get the games in," joked Norway Little League President Jim Bal.

Kingsford Tops Iron Mountain North, 2-0                      The Kingsford 9-10 Boys pose after Tuesday's win. (Chad McCole photo) NORWAY----The Kingsford Minor Boys (age 9-10) got off to a good start in the district tournament on Tuesday, beating Iron Mountain North, 2-0, in a well-played game at Marion Park. Kingsford pitcher Darren Wood came to within two outs of throwing a complete game, with Austin Van Pembrook finishing the game. The two combined to allow only one hit and one walk, and they struck out five. Iron Mountain's only hit was a bunt single by Trent Juul in the fifth inning. Alex Chellancin went the distance on the mound for Iron Mountain North allowing four hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Kingsford's hits came on an Allen Linn double, and singles by Van Pembrook, Aden Johnston, and Marc McCole.  Johnston eventually scored Kingsford's first run, and Nick McCole scored in the fifth inning on a hit by Van Pembrook. Norway mercied Iron County, 13-2, in the other game. Kingsford and Norway will play Thursday night, while Iron County and Iron Mountain North will battle in the loser's bracket on Thursday.

Schaffer Beats Tri-County In Extra Inning                       Schaffer's Matt Richer (15) bats during Tuesday night's game in Gladstone. GLADSTONE----It was a wild start to the Minor Baseball (age 9-10) district tournament as Schaffer and Tri-County hooked up in a marathon game in Gladstone. In a contest that took 2 hours, 48 minutes to play, Schaffer scored nine runs in the seventh inning to post a 19-10 win, and a spot in Wednesday's winner's bracket. It looked like the game would end in regulation time, when Tri-County carried a 10-5 lead into sixth inning. But Schaffer scored five runs off of Tri-County reliever Kole Salmi to tie the game, then it looked like Schaffer would take the lead when Hunter Debalak ripped a shot toward right field. Tri-County second baseman Beau Rondeau caught it, and the game went to extra innings. Schaffer third baseman Bradley Vandermissen also made a nice catch in that inning robbing Duner Englund of a base hit. Then, in the seventh inning, the Schaffer boys (and girl) got their hitting shoes on. Ryan Arndt had a two-run single, and Kadin Mustrava followed with an RBI hit. Adam Cappeart appeared to have an infield hit, but was called out at first...but a run scored anyway to make it 14-10. <<< Tri-County's Kole Salmi pitches. Schaffer added five more runs, then got the final outs in the bottom of the seventh to earn the win. Mustrava had a double and single and Paige Welch had a hit and a walk for Schaffer. Tri-County was led by Englund's three hits. In the second game, Gladstone scored early and often to beat Munising, 19-1. The game was called by the mercy rule. WATCH VIDEO CLIPS FROM SCHAFFER-TRI COUNTY: Click HERE to see Adam Cappeart called out at first, but was he? Click HERE  to see Ryan Arndt single in two runs. Click HERE  to see Kadin Mustrava single in a run Click HERE  to see Duner Englund get robbed by Bradley Vandermissen at third base.               Tri-County's Adam Hall bats during Tuesday night's game in Gladstone.