Dow High School baseball set for state semifinal appearance after two close wins
MIDLAND, Mich. (BVM) — It’s been a special season for the Dow High School baseball team, and after two more narrow victories, the Chargers are headed to the state semifinals.
Dow began its final state push last weekend in a regional final against Zeeland West. The game was a bit of a roller coaster for the Chargers, who went down 2-0 initially, but rebounded to take a 5-2 lead, and then gave the runs right back as the Dux tied the game in the sixth.
After a scoreless seventh frame where both teams threatened, it was on to extra innings. But the Chargers did not shy away from the moment, and took control of the contest. Scoring four runs in the top of the eighth, Logan McCoy sealed the deal for Dow in the bottom half, earning the Chargers a 9-6 win.
Dow’s next game in the state quarterfinals featured a matchup with a tough Hudsonville squad. This time, the Chargers would start out hot, taking a 1-0 lead in the first after Alex Liakos scored on a past ball. Dow would score an additional run in the second, but bad weather would soon force a rain delay.
The 2021 season has certainly had its adverse moments for any club, but both Hudsonville and Dow were thrown another one as the rain delay lasted over two hours. Dow would come out of the break strong and add another run in the third, however, and still held a 4-1 lead after four.
But the fifth is when the Hudsonville offense woke up. After four runs on four hits, the Eagles took the lead, and added one more to take a two-run advantage into the seventh. Down to potentially their final outs of the season, the Chargers came through in the clutch once again, scoring four runs in the top of the seventh for an 8-6 advantage.
Although he allowed one run in the seventh, McCoy came in again to seal the deal and earn the save for Dow.
The pair of dramatic victories gives Dow plenty of confidence as it heads to the state finals at Michigan State. Next up comes a state semifinal matchup on Thursday for the Chargers against Portage Central.
