The Fruitport baseball team had to work harder than usual on Saturday, but came away with two victories over Sparta in non-conference action at Davenport University and improved to 6-0 on the season.
In Game 1, Fruitport jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a couple of Sparta errors.
Sparta chipped away throughout the game to close the gap to 4-3, but Fruitport responded in the fifth inning with three additional runs to secure an 8-5 victory.
Trevor Rusnak led the offense with three hits. Avery Lambers and Wyatt Fielstra each collected two hits while Cam Bolger delivered two key RBIs.
[1]On the mound, Rusnak pitched five strong innings, striking out 12. Lambers came on in relief to earn the save.
In Game 2, Fruitport again started fast, building a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Sparta answered with seven runs of its own in the bottom of the inning, and it became a back-and-forth affair.
The score was tied 10-10 before the Trojans scored three in the seventh to secure a 13-10 victory.
Garrett Olson had a standout performance at the plate, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs, including a triple and the go-ahead inside-the-park home run. Satchel Norwood, Wyatt Fielstra, and Kolten Kennedy each added two hits while Rusnak and Fielstra drove in two runs apiece.
[2]Olson also earned the win in relief, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit and one earned run, striking out nine.
“We played hard and together,” said Fruitport head coach Nick Reed. “The defense struggled at times but our offense and pitchers battled all day and created a lot of opportunities to score. We had some guys who have been struggling offensively break out and string some great at bats together.
“Facing adversity was good for us, to see how the boys would respond, and they showed they will fight to the last out.”
The Trojans will return to action on Tuesday at NorthPointe Christian.