07/31/2025
Ending the season on a high note, B45 Michigan captured the 3rd Annual Mackinaw Summer Sizzler @ the Straits in convincing fashion. The team went 4-0 outscoring its opposition 41-2.
While the offense was potent, it was pitching and defense that propelled the team to the title. Besides holding its opponents to just two runs, the team had eight pitchers take the bump allowing just five hits, while striking out 19 hitters. The team's defense was just as good, as they only made 3 errors in their 84 total chances during the tournament.
The team started pool play on Saturday with a 6-0 victory in an international contest over the Soo Black Sox from Canada. B45 pulled away in the final inning scoring five runs. Drake Beard led the offense with three hits, while Mario Modugno shut down the Black Sox, as the left-hander pitched a perfect game. Modugno struck out six batters (53 strikes on 73 pitches) and allowed no walks and hits in the six inning game.
In the second game of pool play, B45 Michigan defeated the Soo Sluggers (MI) 17-2. Four pitchers (Jackson McCamman, Spencer Sertic, Cash Wolverton and Jack Rozema) stymied the Sluggers allowing just two hits and striking out six in the victory. Offensively, Beard, Modugno and Nolan Chard each had multi-hit games. Beard led the team going 4-4 with five RBI.
In the semifinal, B45 Michigan defeated TSA 8-0. Chard and Cooper Stankus pitched for B45. The duo allowed just one hit in the victory. Modugno went 3-3 in the win, while AJ Smit led the team with four RBI on a 2-3 performance at the plate.
In the championship game, B45 Michigan defeated the North Bound Waves 10-0. Smit pitched a complete game allowing just two hits in the win.
The victory was B45 Michigan's second tournament championship of the year. The team finished the season with a record of 18-14.
The coaches are proud of all the players on their effort and consistent improvement during the year. The coaching staff would like to give a special thank you to the hardest working bat boys in baseball and to all the parents and family members that continuously make sacrifices to make sure their kids make it practices, games and put in the extra work away from practice.
This trip was a perfect way to end the season and provided alot of memories on and off the field, including making a case for Blitz Ball played in Lake Huron to be an Olympic sport.
