A decisive victory in District 106
On a crisp Saturday afternoon, the Bear Lake, Frankfort and Onekama high school baseball teams converged for the District 106 semifinals, each hoping to advance to the championship round. Bear Lake opened the day with a 14‑4 rout of Mesick, while Frankfort edged Onekama 4‑1, setting the stage for a showdown between the Bears and the Panthers.
The final proved to be a masterclass in dominance as Bear Lake blanked Frankfort 5‑0, securing their fourth district title in just five years. Coach John Simpson, who also serves as Onekama’s co‑coach, later reflected on how the tournament offered more than trophies, emphasizing character and perseverance.
Key performances and life lessons
Landyn Kequom was the offensive engine for Bear Lake, delivering two hits and four RBIs while also pitching three innings that yielded four earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. His brother Easton added two hits and two RBIs, and Myles Harless contributed a single hit and an RBI. Cameron Lambert and Grady Harless each chipped in a hit and an RBI, rounding out a balanced attack.
On the mound, Grady Harless shut down Frankfort’s offense with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four batters. Rylan Lewis, who earned the win for Frankfort, tossed a complete game, yielding one earned run on three hits while recording seven strikeouts. Despite the loss, Frankfort’s lineup showed resilience, with Aiden Evans, Kole Anhalt, Cody Huntley and Xavier Hernandez each collecting hits.
Onekama’s Andrew Hybza, Jake Brown and Camden Ickes each managed a single hit, and Brown’s pitching performance included 11 strikeouts before conceding three earned runs. The tournament’s blend of fierce competition and sportsmanship left a lasting impression on the young athletes, who were reminded that every game is an opportunity to grow.