FIRST RUN OF NIGHT … Drake Harris hits a ground ball to third base that resulted in an error allowing Swanton’s first run of the night to cross the plate.
(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THEVILLAGE REPORTER)
TURNING TWO … Isaiah Bolyard makes the throw the first complete an inning ending double play for Swanton.
By: Elliot Schneider
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
DEFIANCE (May 29, 2025) – The Eastwood Eagles defeated the Swanton Bulldogs in a Division V district semifinal matchup, behind a strong offensive performance where they produced 12 runs on 10 hits.
The Bulldogs came out strong on the offensive side, securing an early lead, but the Eagles quickly fought back and built a lead they would never give up.
The Bulldogs’ first inning saw them take advantage of an Eagles’ defensive miscue, allowing them to enter the scoring column early in this one.
Isaiah Bolyard hit a one out single to start, and advanced to second on a ground out from Carsen Lemons.
Drake Harris would follow with a hard hit ball on the ground to third, but reached base due to an errant throw, which also allowed Bolyard to cross home plate. This gave the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead halfway through the first.
The Eagles failed to produce any runs in the inning, as the only players to reach base were Colton Woodward, who singled to left, and Kadyn Donnell, who was walked.
The Bulldogs weren’t very productive in the second, as Carson Bond was the only player to reach base, when he was walked.
The Eagles looked to enter the scoring column in the second. A one-out double from Andy Lautzenheiser, followed by a walk from Jack Sensenig, and a hit by pitch from Cam Schumaker, quickly loaded the bases for Eastwood.
Back-to-back ground outs from the Eagles would end the inning, leaving the runners stranded and Eastwood scoreless for the game.
The Bulldogs would build on their lead in the top of the third. Luke Marlow hit a leadoff single to center and would advance to second on a ground out during the next at bat.
Lemons followed by drilling a triple to right, plating Marlow, and giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead halfway through the third.
The bottom of the third saw the Eagles bats come alive, securing three runs in the inning to take the lead.
The inning started with three straight singles from Brock Messinger, Donnell, and Drew Kachmarik. Connor Norton followed with a 2-run single, plating Messinger and Donnell.
Schumacher then hit a sac fly that plated Kachmarik, giving the Eagles the 3-2 lead through three innings.
The Bulldogs went three up and three down in the fourth, with all of the momentum shifting to the Eagles as the game went on.
The Eagles built on their lead in the bottom half of the inning, with Lautzenheiser drilling a 2-run single to center, which brought home Donnell and Landon Weemes.
The offensive struggles continued for the Bulldogs in the fifth, as the only player to reach base in the inning was Bolyard, when he singled to left.
Meanwhile, the Eagles continued to extend their lead in the bottom half of the inning. A one out RBI triple from Woodward gave Eastwood their first run of the inning.
Messinger followed with a sac bunt, plating Woodward, and giving the Eagles a 7-2 lead with two outs in the fifth.
Donnell was then walked, followed by Kachmarik reaching base due to an error, giving the Eagles more opportunities for runs. Norton followed with an RBI single to center, plating Donnell, and giving Eastwood an 8-2 lead through five.
The Bulldogs failed to generate any runs in the sixth, as Lautzenheiser was consistent on the mound for the Eagles all night.
The final inning saw six straight Eagles’ batters walked, with three runs crossing home plate. Norton followed with an RBI single, making it 12-2, securing the mercy rule victory.
SHS 101 000 – 2 5 4
EHS 003 234 – 12 10 1
Records: SHS 19-9; EHS 21-6
WINNING PITCHER: Lautzenheiser (6 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 3 strikeouts, 2 walks)
LOSING PITCHER: Marlow (2.2 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 3 earned, 3 walks, 1 strikeout) Other: Lemon, Lemons
LEADING HITTERS: (Swanton) Bolyard – 2 singles; Lemons – triple; (Eastwood) Norton – 3 singles, 4 RBIs; Messinger – single, 2 RBIs; Lautzenheiser – double, single, 2 RBIs