By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
Goodrich’s varsity baseball team opened their Genesee Area Conference Red Division season in a big way April 11.
A combination of solid pitching and plenty of hitting proved to be the difference as the host Martians swept New Lothrop, winning the opener 15-0 and the nightcap 15-2.
Goodrich’s record is now 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the GAC Red.
The first game lasted four innings due to the mercy rule. Goodrich pitcher Nick Wesener threw a no-hitter in that time span, striking out nine New Lothrop batters.
‘That was a key to game one,? Goodrich coach Bob Foreback said. ‘He took all the pressure off our hitters by holding New Lothrop scoreless.?
The Martians? offense held up their end of the bargain, scoring three runs each in the first and second innings before exploding for nine runs in the fateful fourth inning. The Blue Devils didn’t help themselves out in the field, committing six errors.
Adam Compeau went 3-for-3 and drove in four runs for the Martians, while Dom Rivera went 3-for-4 and scored four runs.
In the nightcap, the Martians? offense was led by Bennett Gillam, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Goodrich scored three runs in the first inning, two in the second, three in the fifth, and then seven in the sixth to put the wraps on the doubleheader win.
Basil Wilson started and won the game for the Martians, aided by four innings of relief from Michael Skinner.
It wasn’t the most eye-pleasing doubleheader, but it will go down as two wins for the Martians April 7.
Goodrich defeated Atherton 7-1 in the opener and 8-7 in the nightcap, improving to 3-0 on the young season.
The Martians scored three runs in the third inning, two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth on their way to the win. Skinner paced the Goodrich offense with two hits and two runs scored.
Wesener dominated the Atherton lineup in the first game, striking out 12 batters in five innings. Goodrich stole seven bases in the contest, and took advantage of five Atherton errors.
The second game is where things got ugly defensively, as both teams combined for 15 errors ? nine by Atherton and six by Goodrich. As a result, six of Atherton’s seven runs were unearned.
However, the Martians broke a 3-3 tie with two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings, as well as one run in the sixth. That output was enough to offset a four-run rally by Atherton in the top of the seventh.
Kirk Elsworth and Wesener each tallied two hits for the Martians, while Dusty Bourassa picked up the win for Goodrich, allowing two hits and three runs (none earned) while striking out two.