By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

EAST LANSING, MI – New Lothrop advanced to its first state championship game in school history after defeating Maple City Glen Lake 3-1 thanks to timely hitting from Quentin Taylor and outstanding pitching from Cameron Pope.

The Hornets got on the board in the first.

Quentin Taylor roped a two out double to right and scored on an RBI single by Grant Steinborn to put New Lothrop up 1-0.

Taylor scored the second run of the game as well.

In the third, Taylor drew a one out walk, advanced to second on a fielder's choice. While at second, Glen Lake starter Thomas Waning looking to pick Taylor off at second, but the throw went into center field allowing Taylor to score and put the Hornets up 2-0.

Glen Lake cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth.

With two outs, Tristan Williams roped a single to left. Waning walked to put two on with two outs.

Trevor Apsey drove Williams home on an RBI double.

New Lothrop answered with one in the bottom of the frame to go on top 3-1.

Steven Garza was hit by a pitch with one out and promptly stole second. Taylor continued his impressive day with an RBI double that scored Garza.

The three runs were more than enough for Pope who went 6 1/3 innings allowing just one run on six hits, three walks and a HBP while striking out 11.

However in the seventh Pope got into a little trouble as Williams and Waning reached on back-to-back infield singles.

With one out and two on, the Hornets went to the bullpen and Grant Steinborn who came on and got a fly out and strikeout to finish the game.

Top Performers:

• Cameron Pope, went 6.1 innings allowing just one run on six hits, three walks and a HBP while striking out 11.
• Quentin Taylor, had two doubles, a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and two runs scored.
• Thomas Wanning, kept Glen Lake in the game, going six innings allowing three runs (2 ER) on three hits, three walks and two HBP while striking out five.

Linescore

Maple City Glen Lake   000  010  0  -  1  6  1

New Lothrop                 101  010  x  -  3  3  0

Records: New Lothrop 33-6, Maple City Glen Lake 32-3-1.

Winning pitcher: Cameron Pope (6.1 innings, 1 run, 6 hits, 11 strikeouts, 3 walks, 1 HBP). Other: Grant Steinborn.

Losing pitcher: Thomas Waning (6 innings, 3 runs, 2 ER, 3 hits, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, 2 HBP). Other: Eli Keller

Leading hitters: (Glen Lake, 6 hits) – Tristan Williams 3 singles; Thomas Waning single; Trevor Apsey double; Travis Moore single. (New Lothrop, 3 hits) – Quentin Taylor 2 doubles; Grant Steinborn single.