Alma’s baseball team made a bid for a state quarterfinal spot in Division 2 this season, but just fell short in the championship game.
The season ended at 26-11 for coach Denny Kreiner’s team.
The Panthers had a memorable win in the regional semifinal 10-8 over Swan Valley and fired out to a 9-0 lead in the fourth but then had to hang on against Swan Valley.
Damon Anguiano (9-1) improved his record in getting the win. Tristan Villalobis picked up the save. Konner Vedrode has had big hits all season for Alma and had two, including a double, against Swan Valley and drove in four runs. He also scored three runs and stole two bases. Villalobis added two hits and had three RBIs, Hunter Frisbie had two hits and one RBI. John Glenn had a 3-1 lead in the third inning against Alma and upped it to 4-1 in the sixth. Anguiano completed a three-hit complete game shutout and walked only one batter. Anthony Humm’s two-run single was a key hit for Alma.
In the title game, a 4-2 loss to Bay City John Glenn, Brock Milan had an RBI single while Camden Sutherland singled and scored. Villalobis was the losing pitcher.
Alma had not won a district title since 2001 but broke the ice at the Portland district with two wins.
It started with a 4-0 blanking of Central Montcalm. Anguiano pitched a complete game three-hitter.
The title game resulted in a 4-3 win for Alma over Portland. Anthony Humm had a key two-run single.