Baseball fell, 4-2, to the Green Valley Gators at home, April 2. Despite strong individual performances from Jayden Hardy (10),  Eli Irvine (10), and Ethan Holeman (12), the Wolverines couldn’t muster enough offense to pull ahead. Heading into the game, the Wolverines had a record of 2-8. 

Hardy said the team’s focus was on being on time with pitches, playing solid defense, and winning the game to build momentum as they head into the start of league play. 

“We wanted to win, and we knew it was going to be tough,” Hardy said. “We had our chances, but errors hurt us.”

Irvine went 2-for-4, with two singles and a run scored. Holeman also went 2-for-4, including a double and single. On the mound, Hardy struck out six in five innings while only allowing one run. 

He came in with the bases loaded in the first inning with only one out and got out of the inning with just one run allowed. After that, he threw three shutout innings, striking out six.

“I was feeling a little nervous but I knew I had a job to do and get us out of it,” Hardy said. 

Green Valley began the game by scoring in the first inning, as Miles Russell (11) gave up a run early. The Wolverines scored their two runs that both came off errors in the third inning. The Gators added two more in the fourth and another in the fifth by capitalizing on defensive errors by the Wolverines. 

Hardy said the team’s confidence remains high as they look toward the league season. Hardy attributes some of the team’s success to Irvine, the leadoff hitter, who has been very consistent at the top of the lineup getting on base and scoring. Holeman has also been crucial with multiple doubles this season.

Hardy said Jacob Kuy (10) has been a great pitcher, throwing multiple innings per game, and is very consistent with throwing strikes. Hardy feels Charles Jaskowiak (10) has also been doing well with most of the games, as he pitches and has power at the plate.

Hardy said that despite the loss against Green Valley, the team knows they can compete in the league as the season progresses. 

With a solid mix of pitching, hitting, and defense, this team is determined to put the loss to Green Valley behind them and make a run for the top.

“We know we’re capable of winning a lot of games,” Hardy said. “We just have to stay energized throughout the entire game and not let our focus slip. We’re doing much better with that in these last few games.”