Saugatuck Baseball Reaches Regional Semifinals After Decade-Long Absence

KALAMAZOO - The Saugatuck baseball team made a significant return to the regional stage for the first time in ten years, a moment that harkens back to the days of former player Blake Dunn, now with the Cincinnati Reds. The Trailblazers secured their first district title since 2016 on Saturday, May 30, but faced a tough challenge in the regional semifinals, falling 9-2 to Kalamazoo Christian on Wednesday, June 3.

Despite the loss, the Trailblazers remained optimistic. Coach Jaden Grigg emphasized the progress made by the team throughout the season, stating, "This is a step in the right direction. I am proud of our guys. There have been a lot of changes coaching-wise and other things they have gone through, and they stuck it out, won a district championship and competed in a regional game. I told them that this is the standard now. This is where we want to be year in and year out."

In addition to their district victory, Saugatuck also clinched the SAC division title. "Blake Dunn set the tone here, and we all look up to him. The future is definitely bright. We don't usually win conference, and we did. We won districts. It has been great," said starting pitcher Holden Burd, looking ahead to next season.

Looking forward, the Trailblazers will be losing seniors Sam Bos and Morgan Davis but will retain most of their starting lineup and pitching staff. Coach Grigg noted, "We only graduate two guys, so next year, the sky's the limit."

During the regional game, Burd initially struggled, allowing three runs in the first inning. However, he rebounded impressively, keeping the team competitive against a formidable opponent. "It was huge that he settled down. It kept us in a game against one of the best teams we have seen all year," Grigg remarked. The Trailblazers managed to score in the sixth inning with a single from Jack Drummond, followed by a two-run home run from Braison Jones, making the score 7-2 before Kalamazoo Christian added two more runs in the seventh.