District Dominance
The Gaylord St. Mary's baseball program continued its recent run of success, securing its second straight district championship with a 17‑11 victory over Bellaire and a 13‑7 win against Ellsworth. Senior Eli Switalski paced the offense with four hits, a double, two RBIs and three runs scored, helping the team advance to the regional semifinals.
On the softball side, the Gaylord squad captured its sixth consecutive district title, defeating Sault Ste Marie 19‑3 and Petoskey in the championship game. Key contributors Nora Bethuy, Lily Ryckman‑Hall and Brooke Waren each collected three hits, underscoring the team’s depth.
Road to the Regionals
The baseball team will now travel to face Mio on Wednesday, June 3, while the softball team is slated to meet Shepherd on Saturday, June 6. Both matchups promise a fresh test of the squads’ momentum as they look to extend their seasons.
Despite the triumphs, the broader Gaylord baseball program experienced a setback, falling 4‑2 to Petoskey in the district finals. Pitcher Josias Ferrett delivered a strong outing, allowing only two earned runs and striking out eight batters, but the team fell short of the championship.
Elsewhere in the district, Johannesburg‑Lewiston’s softball side dropped a 5‑3 decision to Hillman, and its baseball team was edged 18‑1 by Rogers City, ending their campaigns.