by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
Paw Paw baseball thumps Vicksburg
The Paw Paw baseball team hosted Vicksburg on Thursday, May 18, finishing off a game that was started earlier in the season, but delayed due to darkness. The Red Wolves were able to finish it off with a Wolverine Conference win, 22-8.
John McCaw got the win in relief, not allowing a hit and striking out one, in four innings of work.
Jake Hindenach had a triple, double, single and four RBI, Nick Boyd had a double, single and an RBI, McCaw had two this and one RBI. Joe Miller also bombed a home run and had three RBI, Matthew Hartman had a double and two RBI, Gunnar Goodell had a double and an RBI, Andrew Lehto had a single and two RBI and Landon Buhl had a single.
On Tuesday, May 16 Paw Paw played a Wolverine Conference twinbill at Otsego. Game one was a 12-2 loss, with game two resulting in a 5-0 setback.
The opener was a close game before a dreadful fourth inning, allowing Otsego to pull away.
Remi Hahn pitched five innings and gave up one earned run and struck out five.
Hahn had the team’s lone hit on offense and Lehto also had an RBI sac fly.
Game two was scoreless until the fourth inning, where Otsego was able to plate four runs.
Hindenach took the loss pitching, striking out six batters in four innings of work.
Joe Miller, Hahn and Hindenach were able to get the team’s only three hits.
Mattawan baseball
The Mattawan baseball team traveled to Hudsonville on Saturday, to play against two different teams.
In the opening game against Sterling Heights Stevenson, Mattawan claimed a 5-4 victory.
Josh DeJong got the win pitching, going five innings and giving up one run on three hits and three strikeouts.
On offense, Brendan Garza, Jaxon Engels, Connor Cole, Aiden Warn and Cole Garza had one hit apiece.
Game two was a 3-2 loss to Hudsonville.
Myles Tomlinson was the tough luck losing pitcher, going five innings and giving up two runs, zero earned.
Cole led the offense with two hits.
On Wednesday, May 17 Mattawan played two home games against Battle Creek Lakeview; losing both contests 4-1 and 6-5.
In game one, B. Garza took the loss, giving up four runs, two earned while giving up six hits.
At the plate, B. Garza had a triple and a single.
In game two, Brendan Schultz took the loss, tossing five innings and giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out eight.
On Tuesday, May 16 Mattawan went to Cornerstone University to take on Forrest Hills Eastern. The Wildcats lost game one 10-0, but bounced back to win game two 3-0.
The game two winning pitcher was Kaden Jominy, as he went six innings without giving up a run and gave up three hits and struck out six.
Walsh had a triple and a single to lead the offense.
Lawton soccer wraps up regular season with win
The Lawton girls soccer team were able to close out the regular season in style on Monday. The Lady Blue Devils were playing at Bridgman, and they were able to return home with a 4-0 victory.
“Great team win, everyone had great contributions, true team effort,” head coach Abigail Burris said.
Sophomore Tiara Ellis was able to get a hat trick with three goals and freshman Maya Tag scored the other goal.
Madi Packer was in goal to get credit with the shutout.
Paw Paw track and field team competes at regionals
The Paw Paw track and field team took part in a Division 2 regional in Berrien Springs on Friday. As a team, the boys’ were able to come in fifth while the girls’ had a ninth place finish, out of 15 teams.
For the boys, Ethan Long was 11th in the 100 meter dash, Christian Crane was 17th in the 200, Landon Brown was 12th in the 400 and Spencer Babcock was sixth in the 800. Will Vanderbor (state qualifier) took second in the 1600 meter run with a 4:28. In the 3200, Austin Williford (state qualifier) won with a 9:39 and Vanderbor (state qualifier) was fourth with a 9:53.
Aaron West (state qualifier) won the 110 hurdles at 15.65 and West also makes the state finals in the 300 hurdles with a third place finish and time of 41.27.
Darrin Strey was fourth in the discus and fifth in the shot put and Shawn Jurgensen was seventh in the long jump.
On the girls’ side, Molly Goodwin was 20th int eh 100 meter dash and 18th in the 200. Avery Vogel was 16thin the 400 and Madison Johnson was fourth in the 800. Taylor Meier and Charley Meier were seventh and 15th in the 3200.
In the 100 hurdles Mecenzie Allen was 19th and shew as 21st in the 300 hurdles. They also had a solid fourth place finish in the 4×800, thanks to runs by Amelia Gibbs, Vogel, T. Meier and Madison Johnson.
Savanna Rickli was fourth in both the shot put and discus and Allen was able to take 10th in the long jump.
Mattawan track and field sees action at Division 1 regional
The Mattawan track and field team went to Portage Central on Friday, to compete in a Division 1 regional. The Mattawan boys took ninth, while the girls’ were unable to tally a team score.
The boys had Connor Daggett place 14th in the 100, Trey Bennett was seventh in the 400, Own Fisher was 26th in the 800 and 18th in the 1600. Leo Port was 23rd in the 3200, Dylan Bouters placed sixth in the 110 hurdles and 16th in the 300 hurdles.
The Wildcats had a state qualifying 4×100 relay team, as they took second thanks to Ty Atkinson, Daggett, Landon Craig and Wyatt Hicks.
Tucker Wrubel was sixth in the discus and seventh in the shot put and Hugh Ford (state qualifier) won the pole vault at 13’3. Lincoln Bollinger was 11th in the long jump.
For the girls, Alaina Watson was 29th in the 100, Mackenzie Flood was 27th in the 200, Holly Webber was 19th in the 400 and Kate Barron was 24th in the 800. Hope Webber placed 20th in the 1600 and 12th in the 3200.
Rachael Brooks was 14th in the 100 hurdles and Savannah Field was 23rd in the 300 hurdles.
Kyleigh Colvin was 12th in the shot put and ninth in the discus and Sam Becker was 23rd in the long jump.