Spring has officially arrived in Hillsdale County, and local baseball teams are turning up the heat as May rolls in. From Litchfield’s impressive winning streak to Jonesville’s dominant doubleheaders, the first full week of May baseball delivered plenty of standout performances. Let’s take a closer look at the top players and biggest wins from May 4–10, based on Game Changer reports.
After a slow start to the season, Litchfield has found its groove. The Terriers rattled off three more wins this week, extending their streak to five straight games and improving to 8–4 overall. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a young squad that’s quickly becoming one of the county’s most exciting teams to watch.
Litchfield kicked off the week with a gritty 5–4 win over East Jackson. On the mound, Gavin Gutting and Caleb Bills combined to hold the opposition through four innings, with Gutting fanning four and Bills adding three strikeouts. Bills also contributed at the plate with a hit, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. Connor Kerr led the offense with two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs, while Logan Perkins chipped in a hit, an RBI, two steals, and two runs.
The Terriers then swept Waldron in a doubleheader, winning 12–2 and 10–5. In the opener, Gutting was nearly untouchable, striking out 12 batters while allowing just one earned run over five innings. He also helped his own cause with a double, two RBIs, three stolen bases, and a run scored. Perkins was a menace on the basepaths, stealing four bags and collecting three hits, including a triple, with three runs and an RBI. Connor Kerr added a hit, two RBIs, and two runs.
In the nightcap, Brady Kerr and Connor Kerr combined for nine strikeouts, with Connor earning the win in relief after allowing no earned runs and striking out four. Perkins stayed hot with three hits, an RBI, a run, and two steals, while Brayden Bradley added a double. Bills finished with three hits, an RBI, and two runs, and Brady Kerr contributed two hits, an RBI, and two runs. Ayden Gutting went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run.
Waldron showed fight despite the losses. Eli Winchell and Troy Shamplo each scored twice, with Shamplo also collecting two hits, an RBI, and three strikeouts on the mound. Winchell added two stolen bases, and Isaac Fether drove in a run while behind the plate. Shamplo finished the week with four hits, five runs, and seven steals—a stat line that deserves recognition.
Meanwhile, Jonesville was busy playing seven games, including a Saturday tournament, and came away with five wins. The Comets took down Hanover-Horton 4–3 in a tight contest, then swept Addison by scores of 12–2 and 10–0. With the bats heating up and pitching locking in, Jonesville is shaping up to be a serious contender as the season progresses.
Whether you’re a player looking for inspiration or a fan tracking the county’s top talent, one thing is clear: Hillsdale County baseball is delivering must-watch action this May. Stay tuned for more standout performances as the season heats up.