The Fitzgerald Spartans will venture away from home to square off against the Clawson Trojans at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Fitzgerald is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8 runs per game this season.
While Fitzgerald didn't have the best season last year (they finished 4-13), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They put the hurt on Center Line with a sharp 8-1 win on Monday. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Spartans.
Thomas Baranski was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out 15 over six innings pitched. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI.
Leiland McCallep
| 04/21/25 vs Center Line | 2 |
| 04/18/25 @ Clintondale | 1 |
| 04/16/25 vs New Haven | 3 |
| 04/14/25 vs Detroit Cristo Rey | 1 |
| 04/11/25 vs Merritt Academy | 1 |
Baranski wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Leiland McCallep, who went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases, three RBI, and two runs. McCallep has been hot, having posted at least one stolen base the last five times he's played. Another was Jaiden Asocar, who went 1-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base.
Meanwhile, Clawson had already won two in a row and they went ahead and made it three on Monday. They walked away with a 13-9 victory over the Marauders.
Like Fitzgerald, Clawson also got a great game from a two-way player: Shane Dunlap. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out seven over four innings pitched. Dunlap was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. That double was his first of the season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Steven Chapman, who got on base in four of his five plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one stolen base. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
Fitzgerald's record now sits at 6-3. As for Clawson, they now have a winning record of 6-5.
Clawson's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Fitzgerald has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .463. It's a different story for Clawson, though, as they've only averaged .327. Will they be able to contain Fitzgerald's hitters?
Fitzgerald suffered a grim 15-0 defeat to Clawson in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can the Spartans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
