COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - In Branch County high school sports yesterday, Coldwater opened its baseball and softball seasons with doubleheaders at Parma Western.

In the baseball action, the visiting Cardinals dropped the first game 8-to-5. Coldwater starter Mitch Galloway took the loss. He went two innings, allowing 5 runs, three earned, on 4 hits and 1 walk. Also pitching for the Cardinals were Kelvin Miller and Jacob Fielding. Coldwater’s top hitters were Zach Watson with a pair of doubles while Skylar Reincke, Taylor Kesler, and Dakota Burke each had 2 singles. Also, Jeremy Harrell had a solo home run.

The nightcap was suspended because of darkness after four innings with Coldwater leading 7-to-6. Jacob Fielding had a solo homer and a single while Reincke and Kesler each added 2 more singles as did Jesse Johnson.

In softball, it was a split. Coldwater lost the opener 11-to-6 and then won the second game 9-to-4. In game one, Jessica Becks took the loss with 9 strikeouts and 4 walks over 4 innings. Kelsey Winn had 2 triples while Abbey Somerlott and Kelsey Flynn each had 2 singles.

In the nightcap, Sierra Crist was the winner, going the distance with an 8-hitter and 4 strikeouts and 3 walks.  Crist helped her own cause with 2 singles. Flynn and Kenzie Galloway also had 2 singles apiece.

Also in baseball and softball yesterday, it was Union City at White Pigeon. In baseball, the visiting Chargers won the opener 7-to-3. Emmet Fraley was the winning pitcher and he also had a single and double with 2 runs scored. The second game was called by darkness after five innings with the scored tied at 3-all.

In softball, it was a sweep for Union City 6-to-3 and 22-to-3. In the opener, freshman Marissa Mead picked up the victory with a 3-hitter and 12 strikeouts and in the field, Union City committed only one error. McKensey McRae had 2 doubles and an rbi while Riley Smith had 2 singles and an rbi.

In the 3-inning second game, Mead was again the winning pitcher with a no-hitter with 3 strikeouts and no walks. Katie Cole went 4-for-4 at the plate with 4 rbi’s while Haley Black had a single and a double and 3 rbi’s.

Also yesterday, in baseball only, Quincy was shutout at Fremont, Indiana 3-to-0. The visiting Orioles were no-hit by three Fremont pitchers. McCabe Brand was the tough luck loser for Quincy, giving up just 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk over five-and-two-thirds innings of work. The Orioles also were flawless in the field with no errors.

In track, the season opened yesterday for 3 county schools with Quincy hosting Coldwater and Bronson for a double-dual meet. In the boy’s competition, Quincy outpointed Coldwater 96-to-41 and the Orioles also beat Bronson 76-to-60 while Bronson scored a win over Coldwater 81-to-52.

In the girl’s action, Coldwater earned a pair of wins, beating Quincy 82-to-55 and Bronson 69-to-66 while Bronson defeated Quincy 82-to-51.

For the boys, Quincy’s Levi Drumm had a pair of wins in the shot put and discus. Also for Quincy, Markus Loveberry was a double winner in the Pole Vault and 110 meter hurdles. Bronson’s Nathan Smoker had the top times in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

Coldwater’s Becca Schott was a triple winner for the meet with the top times in the 800, 16-hundred and 32-hundred meter runs. Also for the girl’s, Quincy’s Andrea Ferrin was a double winner with the best long jump and the top time in the 200 meter dash. And Ellie Ohm of Coldwater was tops in the Pole Vault and the 100 meter hurdles.

On today’s schedule, Bronson has its baseball opener with a game at Fremont, Indiana. In track, Union City begins its schedule with a home meet against White Pigeon.  And in girl’s tennis, the Bronson varsity starts its season at home with a match against the Coldwater j-v squad.

Today on the Coach’s Corner, it’s Bronson girl’s track Coach Jeff Gallup.