By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

EAST LANSING, MI – The Mount Pleasant Oilers advance to their fifth state championship game with sights on a third championship (last 2007) after defeating Richland Gull Lake 7-1.

The Oilers scored in each odd inning, two in the 1st, 3rd and 5th and one in the 7th while the Blue Devils left nine runners on base.

In the first, Robert Backus roped a leadoff single up the middle and after a sacrifice bunt by Aaron Leasher sophomore Zach Heeke walked to put two on and one out. Dean Marais got his impressive day at the plate started with a two-run double off the wall in right-field. 

Heeke started the third inning off with a bunt single, but was gunned out at third on a single from Marais.

After a fly out, sophomore Hunter Buczkowski laced an RBI double to left center. Joe Genia ripped an RBI single up the middle to put Mount Pleasant on top 4-0.

Dean Marais got things started in the fifth as the senior singled to right, advancing to third on a double from Max Trucks putting two on for Buczkowski.

The starting pitcher for the Oilers roped a two-run single to left to put Mount Pleasant up 6-0.

Buczkowski singled in the seventh and pinch runner Hutchinson stole second and scored on a Genia single.

With the Oilers on top 7-0 Buczkowski came out for his seventh inning of work, but had trouble as he walked three and hit a batter, but the righty ended the game with his third strikeout of the game.

Up to the seventh inning Buczkowski was brilliant as he allowed just five hits and two HBP in the first six innings.

Top Performers:

• Hunter Buczkowski went the distance on the mound allowing just one run on four hits, three walks and three HBP while striking out three. At the plate, Buczkowski went 3-for-4 with two singles, double and three RBIs.
• Dean Marais, went 3-for-4 with two singles, double and two RBIs.
• Joe Genia, had two singles and two RBIs.

Linescore

Mount Pleasant         202  020  1  -  7  12  0

Richland Gull Lake   000  000  1  -  1  5  3 

Records: Mount Pleasant 31-8-1, Richland Gull Lake 30-10.

Winning pitcher: Hunter Buczkowski 8-2 (7 inning, 1 run, 4 hits, 3 strikeouts, 3 walks, 3 HBP).

Losing pitcher: Walter Graf (7 innings, 7 runs, 12 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 HBP).

Leading hitters: (Mount Pleasant, 12 hits) – Robert Backus single; Zach Heeke single; Dean Marais 2 singles, double; Max Trucks double; Hunter Buczkowski 2 singles, double, 3 RBIs; Joe Genia 2 singles; Obie Ricumstrict single. (Gull Lake, 5 hits) – Nick Miller single; Drew Blakely single; Jarod Burton single; Austyn Knapper single; Eric Hyde single.