RUNNERS-UP - The Huron East Junior All-Star team lost to Traverse City, 13-9, in the District 8 championship game played July 12 in Gaylord. Team members are, from left, kneeling: Jared Bielby, Kyle Lutz, Cody Curtiss, Zach Lamrock and Karl Wimmer; standing: Coach Joe Vanderveen, Jordan Vanderveen, Nathan Koenig, Ryan McEwan, Tyler Samuels, Colin Verlac and Manager Lindsey Bielby. - Courtesy photo

Huron East Junior All-Star team finishes season in District title game

GAYLORD - The Huron East Junior boys All-Star baseball team lost to the Traverse City All-Stars, 13-9, in the District 8 championship game played Saturday, July 12, on a windy afternoon in Gaylord.

Huron East started the scoring with six runs in the top of the first inning and led, 9-2, after the first two innings.
Traverse City scored four runs with two outs in the third inning to make the score 9-6. Traverse City kept creeping back into the game and came within one run, 9-8, after the fifth inning.

Huron East loaded the bases in the sixth inning with one out, but was unable to score. Traverse City scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the 13-9 lead. In the top of the seventh and final inning, Huron East was unable to score any runs.

Leading hitters for Huron East were Jared Bielby with three hits; Karl Wimmer, two hits and five RBIs; Koenig with two hits, and Ryan McEwan, Colin Verlac and Kyle Lutz with a hit apiece.

“This was a tough loss,” according to Coach Lindsey Bielby, “but it was a very successful season, getting five wins in the tournament. Four of those wins were on our home field.

“Every player contributed throughout the tournament and I am very proud of each and every one of them. They all played as a team and that is all you can ask. They represented the Tawas and Oscoda baseball Little League program very well, displaying good sportsmanship and baseball instincts you cannot teach. Not many players in the state of Michigan can say they have played in a District championship game!

“Most of these players have made it to the District finals throughout their Little League careers and winning the District 8 Championship three years ago was very exciting and a memory that will last forever.”