HILLSDALE COUNTY — There wasn't a lot of ball games played last week as storms repeatedly disrupted schedules for Hillsdale County varsity baseball and softball teams. However, limited spring action produced a unique moment for a North Adams-Jerome sophomore, who went yard at a stadium not known for frequent over-the-fence home runs.
More: Zailey Conroy, Will Elder earn first Athlete of the Week awards
Sophomore Desman Lawless went 4-for-5 at the plate in North Adams-Jerome’s 18-1 win over Tekonsha. He finished with a triple, a double and a home run that cleared the left-center field fence.
Coach Kody Hodshire could not recall the last time a home run went over the left-center fence.
The standout performance highlighted a 14-hit, 11-RBI day for the Rams. Ryker Campbell and Conner Arsenault also posted multi-hit performances to cap a strong 2-0 week. Campbell had three hits, four runs and two RBIs, while Arsenault finished with three hits, three RBIs and two runs. Campbell and Lawless each stole two bases and also contributed on the mound in both wins during the week.
Campbell earned the late-week start against Tekonsha, striking out 12 batters while allowing one hit. Lawless followed with a near-flawless effort against Waldron in a 12-0 victory, striking out 13 and allowing just one hit.
Campbell added three stolen bases in the game, while Arsenault recorded two doubles. Arsenault scored three runs and drove in three against Waldron. Lawless added three hits, one RBI and two runs. Multiple Rams recorded doubles, including James Johnson, Daytin Medley and Elzie Weage. Weage finished with two hits, two RBIs and a run, while Nathan Todd scored three times.
The Rams are 4-1 heading into the final week of April, with two road games set to test their ability to maintain a lead over conference foes.
It was a rough start to the week for Reading, which dropped a doubleheader to Maple Valley while scoring just one run. The Rangers rebounded over the weekend with a 20-1 victory over Tekonsha and an 11-4 win against Barry County Christian.
Gavin Wright led the Rangers with four extra-base hits — two doubles and two triples — against Tekonsha. Wright went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored. He added three hits, a run and four RBIs against Barry County Christian and finished the week with 26 putouts.
Chase Anderson delivered the standout pitching performance, earning the win over four innings with seven strikeouts while allowing two hits and two earned runs. He also added two hits, two stolen bases and three runs scored.
Waldron picked up a win during Saturday’s baseball tournament, defeating Tekonsha 19-4 after a narrow 12-11 loss to Barry County Christian earlier in the day. The victory marked a bounce-back effort following a shutout loss to North Adams-Jerome earlier in the week.
Shamplo earned the win for Waldron, striking out four batters over four innings while allowing one earned run. Isaac Fether led the Spartans with four hits, four RBIs and three runs. Eli Winchell added two hits, three RBIs and three runs, with both recording doubles.
Waldron stole 10 bases, led by Winchell and Kaleb Fether with two each. Winchell added three hits, an RBI and two runs against Barry County Christian. Silas Williams drove in three runs as a designated hitter, while Shamplo contributed two hits, an RBI and three runs. Isaac Fether caught the game, recorded three hits, scored a run and pitched the final innings, striking out two.
Hillsdale baseball played six games over five days last week. After dropping four straight, the Hornets closed the week with a strong showing against Springport, losing the opener 7-6 before rebounding with a 10-1 win in the second game.
Tyson Duff earned the win, striking out two over four innings while allowing three hits and one earned run. Ethan Hamden pitched the final innings and struck out one. Luke Webster drove in two runs with a double and also scored. Nate Davis and Ben Champion each stole three bases, with Davis scoring three runs. Mason Brown added two stolen bases, and Aiden Vanwormer scored three runs.
Tydan Bible started the opener, striking out four across five innings while allowing five earned runs. Champion recorded an RBI double, while Duff finished with two hits, a stolen base and an RBI. Webster added three hits, an RBI and two runs, and Vanwormer finished with a hit and two runs scored.
Webster closed the week with seven hits, three doubles, four RBIs, seven runs and 14 putouts.
The Reading softball team returned to action over the weekend with two wins, defeating Athens 13-3 before edging Tekonsha 8-6.
Aggressive base running — including 12 stolen bases against Athens — and a strong pitching effort from Leah Headley powered the Rangers. Jordyn Mapes led Reading with three hits, three RBIs and two runs against Athens. Headley added a hit, an RBI and two runs while pitching all five innings, striking out eight batters and allowing two earned runs on four hits. Mckenzey Penza, Emma Gerth and Harper Wickham each posted multi-run performances.