Baseball Game Preview: Bridgman Bees vs. Watervliet Panthers

The Bridgman Bees will square off against the Watervliet Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

As a matter of fact, Bridgman put up the most runs they have all season on Monday. They blew past Our Lady of the Lake Catholic 20-2. The Bees might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won eight contests by six runs or more this season.

Meanwhile, Watervliet came tearing into Friday's game with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 4.7 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victors by a 16-1 margin over the Spartans. That looming 16-1 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Panthers yet this season.

Cayden Ryan and Ethan Westfall made a big impact no matter where they played. Throwing, Ryan tossed 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Meanwhile, Westfall tossed 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than two hits in five consecutive appearances. At bat, Ryan went 4-for-5 with one run and one RBI, while Westfall got on base in all five of his plate appearances with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. Those three runs gave Westfall a new career-high.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Nathan Harasewicz, who went 3-for-4 with four runs and three RBI. That's the most hits he has posted since back in May of 2025. The team also got some help courtesy of Caleb Jewell, who got on base in two of his five plate appearances with four stolen bases and three runs.

Watervliet kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 16 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.

Bridgman's record now sits at 14-7. As for Watervliet, their record is now 17-6-1.

Bridgman couldn't quite finish off Watervliet in their previous meeting back in April of 2025 and fell 2-0. Can the Bees avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.