HARDWICK–It has been a long season for the Lake Region Rangers.
For nearly two months, the boys were in a never-ending quest for their first win of the 2025 regular season.
Finally, in their second-to-last game of the season they hit pay dirt.
On Thursday they traveled to take on the Hazen Wildcats, and they would take advantage of every Hazen miscue, as they came away with a 9-5 win to finally end their losing streak.
“Broke the ice today,” said LR coach Dana Stevens after the game. “We played better baseball, put the ball in play, and took advantage of the walks. Hayden (Smith) came in and pitched a great game. Better plate approach from the whole team.”
The Rangers wasted little time getting on the board, with the first two batters reaching, as Cam Griffith walked and Cotter Stevens singled.
Griffith swiped second with Stevens at bat, then Cotter drove in Griffin and stole second himself.
Landon Richards walked and stole second, Josiah Quinn walked, Smith singled, and somewhere in here Stevens came in to score, and it was 2-0 LR after half an inning.
Hazen came storming back in their half of the first, plating three runs to take a temporary lead.
The second inning would be the big one for Lake Region.
Jayden Choquette, walked and took second on a passed ball.
That brought the top of the order up, and Griffin walked for the second time.
Stevens sacrificed the runners over, then Richards walked, and the runs started to come home.
Landon stole second, Pepin walked and was replaced by courtesy runner, and all four of these players eventually rounded the bases and came home, giving the Rangers a 6-3 lead.
Hazen got one run back in the bottom of the frame, and after Griffin walked and scored for the third time in the top of the sixth, the Wildcats would plate their final run in their half of the sixth.
Bretton Phillips and Caleb Bickford both reached and scored in the top of the 7th to give the visitors a little insurance, and after a scoreless bottom of the inning, the game was over and Lake Region had their win.
Ryan Pepin got the start, and Hayden Smith would come on in relief and get the win.
The Rangers did take on Peoples on Friday, and while the offense had another good showing, the Wolves would edge out LR 8-6.
Lake Region finishes the season at 1-15, and were the only local ball team to get in all 16 of their games this spring.
As it stands right now, it appears LR will be playing Lyndon Institute in the opening round of the playoffs.
We will have more on that in tomorrow’s Express.