Boys Varsity Baseball - Week of 5/16/2008

5/17/2008 Jeff Hoffman Memorial Tournament
Game One Hesperia - Fremont 17 - 7
Game Two Grant - Fremont 4 - 3
Game Three White Cloud - Fremont Wins Championship

5/16/2008 Newaygo
Fremont 5 - 2
Fremont 10 - 8

 

Fremont wins Jeff Hofman Memorial

The Fremont High School varsity baseball team won the annual Jeff Hoffman Memorial Tournament in Fremont on Saturday, May 17, beating Hesperia and Grant and then defeating White Cloud in the finals.

In game one against Hesperia, the Packers struggled with some early mistakes, but recovered by scoring 11 runs in the fifth inning, on the way to a 17-7 victory. Wade Paris got the win in his first start of the season. Matt Terveer led the way offensively with three hits while Jared Vandenberg, Andy Harrington, Mike Mangin and Paris all collected two hits each.

In game two against Grant the Packers won in a walk-off when a bases loaded single from Max Morrison ended the game. Jared Vandenberg flexed his muscles for the second day in a row with another home run. The Packers won 4-3.

In the championship game against White Cloud, the Packers exploded with an 8-0 lead after four innings. The Indians chipped away at the lead, but couldn’t get all the way back. Matt Terveer led the Packers, going 4 for 4 with a triple.

Game three was the Championship against White Cloud and Fremont came out explosive with an 8-0 lead after 4 innings. White Cloud chipped away but came up short as Fremont goes on to win the Jeff Hoffman Memorial Tournament. Matt Terveer led the Packers going 4 for 4 with a triple.

“I was a little worried on how the day would go,” said Fremont Coach Steve Luchies, “seeing we made so many mistakes, but our bats were hot. We collected 41 hits and scored 29 runs in the three games. We were excited to face White Cloud in the finals since they swept us in a double-header earlier this year.”

The tournament started with Nathan Hoffman, nephew of Jeff Hoffman, throwing out the first pitch. Former Packer pitcher Jeff Hoffman went on to pitch professionally, but his career with the New York Yankees organization was cut short when he died. Nathan Hoffman is the son of Tom Hoffman.

“It was nice to see the Hoffman family there for support and to encourage us on to victory,” Luchies said.

Earlier in the week, the Packers defeated Newaygo twice on Friday, May 16.

Fremont 5 Newaygo 2

The game was scoreless until the top half of the fifth, when Fremont scored one. Newaygo responded with 2 of their own with the help of a sacrifice fly from Jake Blamer. Newaygo took that 2-1 lead into the 7th and final inning, but Fremont tied the game with a one-out solo homerun from Jared Vandenberg. The Packers followed that with three more runs to take a 5-2 lead. Max Morrison closed the game down with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Alex Harmon got the win, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, striking out 3.

Fremont 10 Newaygo 8

Fremont jumped out to a 8-0 lead after three innings, led by Cody Vanderweide'’s two hits and Morrison's arm. Newaygo responded with a 5-run fifth inning, but it wasn’t enough as Fremont held on and won the game.

“These two wins were huge for us as it gives us a shot at a conference title,” Luchies said. “We still need to take care of business next week and yes, do a little scoreboard watching as well, but at least we have a shot”.