Marquette Fence finished as runner-up at the MASA Class C men’s state fastpitch tournament held July 21-23 in Midland. In the front row from left are Wyatt Schwemin, Cory Jandron, manager Rick Schwemin, Jake Olson, Ryan Schmeltzer and Jake Jandron. Top row from left, Dylan Hamari, Brett Place, Casey O’Neill, Bryan Harris, Kyle Wills, Tony Jandron, Mark Mattson and Nick Quayle. (Submitted photo)

MARQUETTE — Marquette Fence finished as runner-up at the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Class C men’s state fastpitch tournament held July 21-23 in Midland.

Overall, Marquette Fence went 4-2 in its six games of the double-elimination event, while another Marquette team, Cal’s Party Store, was 2-2 and tied for fourth.

“The Fence is very young right now and to see them go this far in the state tournament is quite an accomplishment,” Marquette Fence manager Rick Schwemin said. “The team never gave up. We were down three (runs) in our first game and battled all weekend.

“I am a very proud coach.”

Bryan Harris and Ryan Schmeltzer were named to the all-tournament team while Kyle Wills and Tony Jandron earned honorable mentions.

Marquette Fence opened with a 9-6 win over Crouch Electric of Coldwater as Harris picked up the pitching win, Schmeltzer and Harris homered and Wills had two hits.

The Fence scored a 15-8 win in its second game to hand eventual state champion and hometown team Mickey’s Sleds its only loss of the weekend. Harris again got the pitching win, while Cory Jandron cracked a grand slam homer and Wyatt Schwemin a two-run homer as Jake Jandron and Casey O’Neill had two hits apiece.

In Game 3, Marquette edged Carey All-State Trucking of Midland 8-7. Harris again got the win as Cory Jandron, Kyle Wills and Tony Jandron each had two hits.

That put the Fence in the championship round, where Mickey’s Sleds came back to defeat Marquette twice to capture the title.

In the first game, Sleds won 11-3 with Harris tagged with the loss despite Wills and Tony Jandron each getting two hits.

Then in the finale, Marquette lost an 8-7 squeaker as Harris again los and Schmeltzer, Wills and Tony Jandron homered and Jake Olson scratched out two hits.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.