Diamond Classic Finals | 06-08-11
Well tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is going to take in the Diamond Classic Finals between Holt and Grand Ledge. Grand Ledge is still in the State Tournament; Holt is out because Grand Ledge beat them last week. Because pitchers in High School can pitch only so many innings in a week, Grand Ledge may need to get creative with its pitching so that its best pitchers will be available on Saturday, when they play in the state tournament.
It’s a hot one tonight; it’s over 90 degrees as the game is getting started. Our Bleacher Denizen arrives at about 6:30 and is able to take a seat in the first row behind home plate.
Tim Staudt from Channel 10 and AM 730 is presenting some awards to coaches who have won the Classic in the past. I have to admire Mr. Staudt’s professionalism. He is wearing a sport coat and tie in the over 90 degree heat and not showing any signs of discomfort whatsoever. (Our Bleacher Denizen is glad he is not presenting anything and can wear his shorts and loose shirt.)
The Someko Singers, a choir from Okemos High sings the National Anthem and does a simply tremendous job!! That’s one of the best arrangements on the Star Spangled Banner I have ever heard!
Justin Alleman is pitching for the Rams (Holt) and usual Shortstop Dalton Reust will be on the mound for the Comets (Grand Ledge.)
In the first inning, Holt takes a 1-0 lead on a single by Justin Alleman and an RBI Double from Joey Meyers. Even though Dalton Reust is not primarily a pitcher, he is throwing 89 miles per hour on his best pitches.
Justin Alleman pitches in the mid nineties for Holt. He escapes any damage in the first inning when Right Fielder Tyler Elmo catches Corbin Clouse’s long fly with two runners on and two out.
Holt gets only an infield single from Travis Sweet in the top of the second. Alleman limits Grand Ledge to a single by Catcher Nathan McCrumb. In the top of the third, Reust gets all three batters out.
However, in the bottom of the third, Dalton Reust gets an infield single and First Baseman Tyler D. Baker (#9) also gets an infield single. (Third Baseman Tyler P. Baker is (#8). (One hopes that the Baker parents did not name both of their sons Tyler just to make it difficult for Blog-Writing Bleacher Denizens!)
Tyler P. Baker decides to get in on the offense and follows Tyler D. Baker’s single with a one-out two run double. Alleman gets the last two Grand Ledge Batters on strikeouts to prevent any further scoring, but after three innings, Grand Ledge has a 2-1 lead.
Tyler P. Baker now takes the mound to pitch the fourth inning for Grand Ledge. He gets puts down the Holt hitters in order. In the bottom of the fourth, Nathan McCrumb gets his second single of the game with one out. Dillon and Dalton Reust each get a walk to load the bases. Alleman’s going to need some more strikeouts here if he wants to keep the game close.
However, Eric Eiseler and Tyler P. Baker each get singles to foil that strategy. Grand Ledge scores three runs to take a 5-1 lead and Holt changes pitchers. Sophomore Blake McHenry gets a pop up and a strike out to keep Grand Ledge from scoring any more runs.
Dustin Houser opens the fifth inning for Holt with a single and Travis Sweet sacrifices him to second. Sophomore Second Baseman Jason Daman (who also had two hits and a walk against DeWitt Monday night) smashes a line drive single to score Houser. Holt loads the bases after Grant Van Liew walks and Justin Alleman is hit by a pitch. (He was also hit twice Monday. None of them looked intentional, but it still has to hurt!)
With two outs, Eric Eiseler relieves Tyler P. Baker (what, not Tyler D. Baker???) and gets a groundout to shortstop to end the inning. Grand Ledge’s lead is now down to 5-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning.
Tyler Peterson opens the bottom of the fifth inning with a single, but is promptly erased by a well-turned Holt double play. Grand Ledge does not score in the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, Eric Eiseler is able to get all three Holt hitters out.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Grand Ledge breaks the game open. Dillon Reust opens the inning with a walk and Dalton Reust has a great at bat. He starts out with an 0-2 count, but fouls off and takes pitches until the count goes to 3 balls and 2 strikes. Dalton Reust singles and Eric Eiseler follows that with a single.
Holt changes pitchers with the bases loaded and no outs (and they are down 5-2.) After a Tyler P. Baker two run single, a run-scoring wild pitch and a Tyler D. Baker one run double, Holt is down 9-2. Corbin Clouse gets a walk and Tyler Peterson makes the first out when he hits a scorching line drive, but Holt Second Baseman Jason Daman makes a great catch. However after an Alex Huard walk, an error and a two run single by Dillon Reust, Grand Ledge takes a 12-2 lead and the game is awarded to Grand Ledge on the 10-run mercy rule.
This is the second year Grand Ledge has won the final game of the Classic via the mercy rule.
Until the last inning, it was a well-played game. Both teams have a lot to be proud of and Holt will have some excellent sophomores and juniors back next year. Grand Ledge plays its next state tournament game Saturday. Best of luck to them as they pursue the State Baseball Title!!
Well tonight, the Bleacher Denizen is going to take in the Diamond Classic Finals between Holt and Grand Ledge. Grand Ledge is still in the State Tournament; Holt is out because Grand Ledge beat them last week. Because pitchers in High School can pitch only so many innings in a week, Grand Ledge may need to get creative with its pitching so that its best pitchers will be available on Saturday, when they play in the state tournament.
It’s a hot one tonight; it’s over 90 degrees as the game is getting started. Our Bleacher Denizen arrives at about 6:30 and is able to take a seat in the first row behind home plate.
Tim Staudt from Channel 10 and AM 730 is presenting some awards to coaches who have won the Classic in the past. I have to admire Mr. Staudt’s professionalism. He is wearing a sport coat and tie in the over 90 degree heat and not showing any signs of discomfort whatsoever. (Our Bleacher Denizen is glad he is not presenting anything and can wear his shorts and loose shirt.)
The Someko Singers, a choir from Okemos High sings the National Anthem and does a simply tremendous job!! That’s one of the best arrangements on the Star Spangled Banner I have ever heard!
Justin Alleman is pitching for the Rams (Holt) and usual Shortstop Dalton Reust will be on the mound for the Comets (Grand Ledge.)
In the first inning, Holt takes a 1-0 lead on a single by Justin Alleman and an RBI Double from Joey Meyers. Even though Dalton Reust is not primarily a pitcher, he is throwing 89 miles per hour on his best pitches.
Justin Alleman pitches in the mid nineties for Holt. He escapes any damage in the first inning when Right Fielder Tyler Elmo catches Corbin Clouse’s long fly with two runners on and two out.
Holt gets only an infield single from Travis Sweet in the top of the second. Alleman limits Grand Ledge to a single by Catcher Nathan McCrumb. In the top of the third, Reust gets all three batters out.
However, in the bottom of the third, Dalton Reust gets an infield single and First Baseman Tyler D. Baker (#9) also gets an infield single. (Third Baseman Tyler P. Baker is (#8). (One hopes that the Baker parents did not name both of their sons Tyler just to make it difficult for Blog-Writing Bleacher Denizens!)
Tyler P. Baker decides to get in on the offense and follows Tyler D. Baker’s single with a one-out two run double. Alleman gets the last two Grand Ledge Batters on strikeouts to prevent any further scoring, but after three innings, Grand Ledge has a 2-1 lead.
Tyler P. Baker now takes the mound to pitch the fourth inning for Grand Ledge. He gets puts down the Holt hitters in order. In the bottom of the fourth, Nathan McCrumb gets his second single of the game with one out. Dillon and Dalton Reust each get a walk to load the bases. Alleman’s going to need some more strikeouts here if he wants to keep the game close.
However, Eric Eiseler and Tyler P. Baker each get singles to foil that strategy. Grand Ledge scores three runs to take a 5-1 lead and Holt changes pitchers. Sophomore Blake McHenry gets a pop up and a strike out to keep Grand Ledge from scoring any more runs.
Dustin Houser opens the fifth inning for Holt with a single and Travis Sweet sacrifices him to second. Sophomore Second Baseman Jason Daman (who also had two hits and a walk against DeWitt Monday night) smashes a line drive single to score Houser. Holt loads the bases after Grant Van Liew walks and Justin Alleman is hit by a pitch. (He was also hit twice Monday. None of them looked intentional, but it still has to hurt!)
With two outs, Eric Eiseler relieves Tyler P. Baker (what, not Tyler D. Baker???) and gets a groundout to shortstop to end the inning. Grand Ledge’s lead is now down to 5-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning.
Tyler Peterson opens the bottom of the fifth inning with a single, but is promptly erased by a well-turned Holt double play. Grand Ledge does not score in the inning.
In the top of the sixth inning, Eric Eiseler is able to get all three Holt hitters out.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Grand Ledge breaks the game open. Dillon Reust opens the inning with a walk and Dalton Reust has a great at bat. He starts out with an 0-2 count, but fouls off and takes pitches until the count goes to 3 balls and 2 strikes. Dalton Reust singles and Eric Eiseler follows that with a single.
Holt changes pitchers with the bases loaded and no outs (and they are down 5-2.) After a Tyler P. Baker two run single, a run-scoring wild pitch and a Tyler D. Baker one run double, Holt is down 9-2. Corbin Clouse gets a walk and Tyler Peterson makes the first out when he hits a scorching line drive, but Holt Second Baseman Jason Daman makes a great catch. However after an Alex Huard walk, an error and a two run single by Dillon Reust, Grand Ledge takes a 12-2 lead and the game is awarded to Grand Ledge on the 10-run mercy rule.
This is the second year Grand Ledge has won the final game of the Classic via the mercy rule.
Until the last inning, it was a well-played game. Both teams have a lot to be proud of and Holt will have some excellent sophomores and juniors back next year. Grand Ledge plays its next state tournament game Saturday. Best of luck to them as they pursue the State Baseball Title!!