Olivet vs. Okemos – – Diamond Classic Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – May 31, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

In the first Diamond Classic semifinal of the evening, the Olivet Eagles will face the Okemos Wolves. Tonight’s games are at the Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium.

While we wait for these games to begin, perhaps we can enjoy this comedy duet from my You Tube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GOgZAHqxI

Okemos will be the home team and Olivet will bat first.

Here are the starting lineups!

OLIVET EAGLES:

Ramsey Bousseau p

Bryce Wine ss

Lalo Aguirre 3b

Brody Lehman 2b

Jacob Waffle cf

Jackson Sinclair 1b

Cam Frazier lf

Charlie Anderson rf

Jake Miller c

OKEMOS WOLVES:

Andrew Golde 2b

Caleb Bonemer ss

Brennan Walton p

Colin Walton 3b

Beckett Hansen-Kotke dh

Garret Rizzi lf

Ray Smith 1b

Nik Greborunis cf

Dominic Eastman rf

Mitchell McGaugh will catch, but will not bat.

It is now time to look at the events of this game through the wild-eyed awe of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who will always fondly remember the only fair ball he ever he in Little League. I was a right handed batter and the ball rolled to the shortstop, so I technically pulled it!! It REALLY did happen once!!

Okemos Pitcher Brennan Walton retired Olivet’s leadoff hitter in the top of the inning on a fly to right field. Bryce Wine beat out a slow-rolling infield single. Okemos Right Fielder Dominic Eastman ranged a long way to catch a drive by Lalo Aguirre for the second out. Brennan Walton picked the runner off first base to end the inning.

Olivet Pitcher Ramsey Bousseau retired the first two Okemos batters in the first inning on a grounder to second base and a popup to second base. Brennan Walton walked and Alex Comparoni entered the game as a courtesy runner. Colin Walton singled to left field and Alex Comparoni went to second base. The Wolves made their third out of the inning on a bouncer to the mound.

Brody Lehman beat out an infield single to lead off the top of the second inning for Olivet. Okemos Pitcher Brennan Walton retired the next three Eagle hitters on a strikeout, a popup to the mound and a grounder to the shortstop.

Eagle Pitcher Ramsey Bousseau retired the first two hitting Wolves in the bottom of the second inning on a fly to center field and a grounder to second base. Nik Greborunis drew a walk. Eagle Catcher Jake Miller fired a strike to second base to catch the runner stealing.

With two innings in the books, this game was tied at 0-0.

Brennan Walton retired the three Eagle hitters in the top of the third inning on two strikeouts and a grounder to the shortstop.

Ramsey Bousseau retired the three Wolve batters in the bottom of the third inning on a foul popup to the catcher, a fly to right field and a fly to left field where Left Fielder Cam Frazier made a fine running catch.

Brennan Walton retired the three Eagle hitters in the top of the fourth inning on a popup to second base, a fly to center field and a strikeout.

Ramsey Bousseau retired the first two Okemos batters in the bottom of the fourth inning on a popup to second base and a strikeout. Barrett Hansen-Kotke singled to right field. Olivet Center Fielder Jacob Waffle ran in to make a diving catch of a sinking line drive by Garret Rizzi to record the third out.

After four innings, the game is stile tied at 0-0.

Jacob Waffle walked to lead off the top of the fifth inning for Olivet. Jackson Sinclair hit a single to right field that was fair by about a foot and spun over into foul territory. Jacob Waffle went to third base on the play. Jacob Waffle scored and Jackson Sinclair took second base when Cam Frazier was safe at first base on an error. Jackson Sinclair went to third base and Cam Frazier to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Charlie Anderson. Brennan Walton set the next two Olivet batters down on a strikeout and a popup to second base.

Olivet scored one run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Ramsey Bousseau retired the three Okemos hitters in the bottom of the fifth inning on a grounder to first base, a popup to third base and a strikeout.

Caleb Bonemer took over pitching duties for Okemos. Brennan Walton moved to third base, Colin Walton to second base and Andrew Golde to shortstop.

Caleb Bonemer retired the three Eagle hitters in the top of the sixth inning on a grounder to second base, a bouncer to third base and a strikeout.

Cam Frazier came in to pitch for Olivet. Ramsey Bousseau went to shortstop, Bryce Wine went to second base and Brody Lehman went out to left field.

Andrew Golde hit a perfectly placed bloop between the second baseman and right fielder for a leadoff single in the top of the sixth inning. Andrew Golde took second base when Caleb Bonemer beat out an infield single. Brennan Walton walked to load the bases with no one out. Cam Frazier struck out the next Okemos batter. Beckett Hansen-Kotke got an RBI as Andrew Golde scored, Caleb Bonemer was out at third and Brennan Walton safe at second on a fielder’s choice grounder to third base. Beckett Hansen-Kotke was safe at first. Okemos made its third out when Olivet Left Fielder Brody Lehman made a fantastic running catch of a drive by Garrett Rizzi in left field.

Okemos scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1.

Caleb Bonemer struck out the Olivet leadoff batter to open the top of the seventh inning. Second Baseman Colin Walton made a nice running catch in short center field to account for the second Eagle out. Caleb Bonemer struck out the next Eagle hitter to end the inning.

The game went into the bottom of the seventh inning tied at 1-1.

Cam Frazier retired the three Wolve batters in the bottom of the seventh inning on a grounder to first base, a strikeout and a grounder to second base.

The game is still tied at 1-1 and will go into extra innings!

Caleb Bonemer struck out the first two Eagle hitters in the top of the eighth inning. Ramsey Bousseau belted a double off the left field fence. Caleb Bonemer struck out the next Olivet hitter to end the threat.

Cam Frazier retired the Okemos leadoff batter in the bottom of the eighth inning on a bouncer to the mound. Caleb Bonemer walked an advanced to second base on a wild pitch.

Lalo Aguirre came in to pitch for Olivet. Brennan Walton was intentionally walked. The next batter bounced the ball to Olivet Shortstop Ramsey Bousseau, who threw to second baseman Brody Lehman for the force; Brody Lehman whipped the ball to First Baseman Jackson Sinclair to complete an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

The game was tied 1-1 going into the top of the ninth inning.

Lalo Aguirre singled to right field to open the top of the ninth inning for the Eagles. Trip Burkett entered the game as a courtesy runner for Lalo Aguirre. Caleb Bonemer retired the next two Olivet hitters on a popup to second base and a strikeout. Trip Burkett went to second base when Jackson Sinclair was safe at first on an error.

Andrew Golde came in to pitch for Okemos and Caleb Bonemer went to shortstop.

Cam Frazier grounded a single to right field to drive Trip Burkett home. Jackson Sinclair advanced to third base. Cam Frazier stole second base. Andrew Golde struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Olivet scored one run in the top of the ninth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

Lalo Aguirre retired the three Okemos batters in the bottom of the ninth inning on a groundout to second base, a fly to second base and a strikeout.

Olivet won this nine inning game by a 2-1 score and will face the winner of the St. Johns/Grand Ledge game in Monday’s championship game.

Beckett Hansen-Kotke had a single and an RBI for Okemos. Caleb Bonemer, Colin Walton and Andrew Golde each had one single.

Brennan Walton pitched five innings for Okemos. He gave up one run and three hits while striking out five batters. Caleb Bonemer pitched three and two thirds innings for Okemos. He gave up one run and two hits while striking out seven batters. Andrew Golde pitched one third of an inning and struck out one batter.

Ramsey Bousseau had double for Olivet. Cam Frazier had a single and two RBI. Bryce Wine, Lalo Aguirre, Brody Leman and Jackson Sinclair each had one single.

Ramsey Bousseau pitched five innings for Olivet. He gave up no runs, two hits and struck out two batters. Cam Frazier pitched two and one third innings. He gave up one run, two hits and struck out two batters. Lalo Aguirre pitched one and two thirds innings. He gave up no runs, no hits and struck out one batter.

Grand Ledge and St. Johns played in the second semifinal of the evening. Here is that play by play! https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/06/01/st-johns-vs-grand-ledge-diamond-classic-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-may-31-2023-by-chuck-krafft/