The Cardinals are off to a hot start on the diamond. Big Rapids opened the season with two wins over Cadillac at home last Friday.
Big Rapids won game one behind four runs in the fifth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie to that point. Sophomore Noah Sweppenheiser earned his first career varsity win after two strong innings of relief with four strikeouts. Senior Mason McNeilly reached in base in all three at bats with a single, two walks, and two runs scored.
Game two resulted in an even great win for the red and blue, as Big Rapids finished off the Vikings in three innings by a mercy rule 16-3. Sophomore Karsen Rehkopf earned his first win on the mound only giving up two hits. Senior Riley Vennix had a double, triple, three runs scored and four RBIs. Nick Teceno also reached base twice and scored three times.
"Our defense needs work but we've only been outside a few times with this weather so that will be remedied shortly,” Head coach J.T. Scarpelli said. “
A summer’s worth of 23 games is now complete for fellow Big Rapids Cardinal baseball players.
Led by Pioneer Coach of the Year J.T. Scarpelli, the Lumberjacks finished a circuit of four tournaments and various weekday exhibitions with a 10-13 record against some of Michigan’s premier 16U, 17U, and 18U teams.
“It was a great building season for everyone,” Scarpelli said. “We're going to continue the work into the Fall and be ready to go again next Spring.”
Some highlighted players from the Lumberjacks include upcoming junior Ty Gielczyk, who finished the summer hitting .544 at the plate with an outstanding .768 slugging percentage. He also hit a memorable walk-off grand slam against a Midland travel team at Beal City.
“He was also our best defender all over the field,” Scarpelli said. “Ty is expected to be our primary contributor next spring.”
Senior Mayson McNeilly continued his powerful batting potential w