Ionia Bulldogs Claims Win In Thrilling Showdown Against Fowler Eagles

By GameChanger Media

Ionia topped Fowler 5-4 on Saturday after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at four in the top of the fifth when a wild pitch scored one run.

A walk by Drew Weber put Fowler on the board in the bottom of the third.

Nolan Lundstrom walked, which helped Ionia tie the game at one in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fowler broke up the tie when Noah Schafer hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run. Then an error followed to extend the lead to 4-1.

Ionia jumped into the lead in the top of the fifth when Hunter Roundtree singled, scoring two runs, Kellan Ferguson drew a walk, scoring one run, and a wild pitch scored one run.

Ethan Wenzel earned the win for Ionia in his first ever varsity game. The hurler gave up two hits and four runs (two earned) over two innings, striking out two and walking six. Sam Vanneste took the loss for Fowler. The hurler went two-thirds of an inning, surrendering two runs on one hit, striking out one and walking four. Trevor Hodges started on the bump for the Bulldogs. The right-handed pitcher allowed three hits and zero runs over two innings, striking out one and walking one. Schafer stepped on the hill first for the Eagles. The hurler gave up four hits and three runs (two earned) over four and one-third innings, striking out six and walking five. Colt Piercefield collected the save.

Roundtree provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Bulldogs with two runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Christian Miller went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Ionia Varsity Bulldogs in hits. Ionia Varsity Bulldogs had patience at the plate, piling up nine walks for the game. Jaxon Palmer and Ferguson led the team with two bases on balls each.

Weber and Schafer each drove in one run for Fowler. Vanneste went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Fowler Varsity Eagles in hits. Conner Katich led Fowler Varsity Eagles with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying seven walks for the game. Fowler Varsity Eagles turned one triple play in the game.

Next up for Ionia against the Mason Bulldogs in the championship game.

 

Ionia Bulldogs Fall After Strong Showing By Mason Bulldogs

Ionia had trouble keeping up with Mason in an 11-1 loss on Saturday.

A sacrifice fly by Joey Schild put Mason on the board in the top of the second.

Christian Miller grounded out, which helped Ionia tie the game at one in the bottom of the third.

In the top of the fourth, Mason broke up the tie when Colton McCaleb doubled, scoring one run. Then a play followed to extend the lead to 3-1.

Mason scored five runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning. Wyatt Ball singled, scoring one run, Travis Davis singled, scoring one run, Schild grounded out, scoring one run, and #12 singled, scoring two runs.

Gerrit Koot earned the win for Mason. The righty surrendered seven hits and one run over five innings, striking out six and walking one. Teddy Sprank took the loss for Ionia. The southpaw went three innings, giving up five runs (zero earned) on three hits, striking out one and walking two. Parker Seidelman stepped on the bump first for Ionia. The pitcher gave up one hit and one run over two innings, striking out two and walking one.

Seidelman, Jaxon Palmer, Ryan Lee, Miller, Wyatt Erridge, Colt Piercefield, and Sprank each collected one hit for Ionia. Miller led the Bulldogs with one run batted in. The third baseman went 1-for-3 on the day.

Mason tallied nine hits in the game. Schild provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Mason with three runs batted in. McCaleb went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead the Bulldogs in hits. Mason Varsity Bulldogs turned one double play in the game.

Ionia hosts Charlotte on Tuesday in a conference doubleheader.