The Lumen Christi baseball team pulled off a stunning comeback in Thursday’s Division 3 state semifinal at Michigan State’s McLane Stadium. Down to their final out and facing a 2-0 deficit, the Titans rallied to beat Charlevoix 3-2, securing their spot in the state championship game.
With two outs and runners on second and third in a tied game, Benny Gaston delivered a clutch single to right field, allowing Brodie Gregory to score the game-winning run.
Charlevoix led 2-0 going into the bottom of the seventh. Timmy Crowley and Jack Fitzpatrick ignited the rally by reaching base with no outs. Charlevoix pitcher Bryce Johnson seemed poised to escape the jam, but a grounder by Gregory was mishandled, leading to a run. Another error on a grounder by Kash Kalahar tied the game, setting the stage for Gaston’s heroics.
Despite Johnson’s strong performance, allowing no earned runs and striking out seven, the Rayders couldn’t hold off Lumen Christi’s late surge. Charlevoix’s defense had been solid, turning three double plays earlier in the game, but faltered under pressure.
Charlevoix scored first with a double by Hunter Lemerand in the second inning and added another run in the fourth. However, Titans pitcher Gabe King steadied himself, retiring the last 12 batters he faced and striking out nine in a complete-game effort.
Lumen Christi will now face Watervliet for the state title on Saturday. The only live and local coverage of the Division 3 state final will be on FOX Sports 101.9 FM with Steve Boyle and Tom Ratchford.