Senior Brady Price was the leader yesterday for the varsity baseball team, as he got three hits in the team’s two losses to Byron Center. The flaws on both sides of the diamond were evident, with both losses being caused by the terrific offense on the Bulldogs’ side. 

The late-season playoff push was now upon the Rangers, and after a six-run loss to Kenowa Hills, the team wanted to give a little bit of an extra boost going into the postseason.

Junior Josh Smith got the start on the mound yesterday in game one and did not have the day he was looking to have. Josh gave up seven hits along with seven runs, just two of which being earned. He only walked one batter and struck out four in his three innings of work. The Bulldogs’ offense would get going after Josh was taken out, as they scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth inning. Thanks to senior Nathan Sigg and junior Joe Seurynck, the Rangers were only able to muster three runs in the third and fifth inning. Yet again, it wasn’t enough as FHC lost 14-3 in game one.

In game two, junior Matthew Mittlestadt got the start for the Rangers, and just like last game, Matthew would get pushed around. In his two and two-thirds innings of work, Matthew gave up eight hits while giving up seven runs to end his day. All of the Bulldogs’ runs came in the first three innings of the game; the Rangers could not answer. Senior Dawsen Beach was able to get another run on the board to cut the deficit in the second inning with a single. In the third inning, senior Logan VanLente hit a single into center field and drove in two runs to trim the Byron Center lead to 7-3. In the fourth inning, senior Nathan Sigg was able to tally another RBI on the day with a sacrifice fly that scored a run. The score from here on out stayed the same, as the Rangers dropped their third game in a row by a final of 7-4.

The team’s record is now 11-14 and has seven games left this season. The Rangers will play a rematch with Byron Center this Friday, May 21 at 4:15 PM at Byron Center High School.