Raider Baseball wins District Title, Reaches Diamond Classic Finals

The Portland High School baseball team has been quite busy in the last week.  The Raiders have played five games since last Thursday between the Diamond Classic and District play. 

Thursday, May 29: Portland 7, Mason 2

The Raiders traveled to McLane Stadium at Michigan State University to face Mason in the 63rd Dean Shippey Capital Diamond Classic.

The Bulldogs led the game 2-0 after two innings, but it was all Portland from there.  The Raiders would tally seven runs on 13 hits to secure a 7-2 win.

AJ Weber, Brody Moore, Gunnar Williams, Max Sandborn and Levi Nobis each had two hits for the Raiders.

Evan Thelen got the win on the mound pitching three innings and striking out four while allowing just four hits.  Paul Roberts pitched three and two thirds’ innings striking out one.  Sandborn pitched the final third of an inning.

Saturday, May 31: Portland 5, Ionia 2

The Raiders traveled to Ionia on Saturday for MHSAA Districts.

Ionia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Raiders held them scoreless the rest of the game.

Barrett Brennan, Tyler Smith, Sandborn and Nobis each had hits in the game. 

Thelen got the win on the mound striking out eight over six and two thirds’ innings.  Roberts earned the save for Portland.

Saturday, May 31: Portland 3, St. Johns 1

In the district finals, Portland would face St. Johns.

Roberts had a strong performance on the mound striking out seven while pitching the complete game.

Sandborn had two hits including a triple.  Hudson Martin had two hits and two RBIs. 

You can view video with Portland Head Coach Chris Trierweiler’s post games comments after districts HERE.

Monday, June 2: Portland 9, Okemos 8

On Monday the Raiders returned to MSU to face Okemos in the semi-finals of the Diamond Classic.

Despite Okemos scoring five runs in the third, and another three runs in the sixth, the Raiders were able to pull out a gritty 9-8 win. 

Weber led the Portland offense with two hits with a triple and three RBIs.  Nobis also had two hits.  Moore had a clutch two run triple.

The Raiders had to use three pitchers to make it through the game.  Sandborn, Williams and Mason Vallier each saw time on the mound for Portland. 

Tuesday, June 3: Grand Ledge 15, Portland 4

The Raiders made their third and final trip to MSU on Tuesday.  This time to face the Comets of Grand Ledge in the Championship. 

Despite rallying for four runs in the fourth inning, the multiple games in a short period of time appeared to finally catch up with the Portland squad.  Some untimely errors and a fatigued pitching staff did not help either, especially with the Comets having an explosive night on offense.

Sandborn and Nobis led the Raiders with two hits each.  Brennan and Tyler Smith each had one hit.

Brennan, Vallier, Deacon Townsend and Connor Fox each saw time on the mound for Portland. 

The Raiders were slated to play Williamston in the regional semifinals on Wednesday, but weather has pushed that game to Thursday, June 5th at 5:00.  The game will be held at Fowlerville.