A low-scoring affair turned into an offensive outburst in the ninth inning of the 2024 MAC vs. OAA All-Star baseball game at Jimmy John’s Field on Tuesday, June 25. After going scoreless from the third inning onward, the Macomb Area Conference all-stars finally broke back out in the ninth to take a 5-4 lead, but the Oakland Activities Association stars loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom half.
Seaholm’s Colton Kinnie ended the game with a ground ball up the middle, scoring two. Fraser’s Theo Lemire helped jump-start the offense in the ninth inning – with Lakeview’s Jacob Macks on second and Grosse Pointe South’s Joey Michelotti on first, Lemire roped a double into left-center, bringing the MAC within one at 4-3. Now with runners on second and third, Eisenhower’s Owen Van Dam stepped to the plate and delivered a sacrifice fly to score Michelotti for the tie.
And when the outfielder struggled to get the ball in, Lemire hustled to score from second for the go-ahead run. “Felt good,” said Lemire of his big moments. “I know there was a lot of pressure – I have a lot of family here – but I’m glad I got it.
Lemire was the only Rambler on the roster this season, making his selection to the game even more meaningful. “It means a lot,” Lemire said. “Not a lot of Fraser (get) here.
We’re not a big school. I’m glad I could perform, do my team well. I wish we could have got the (win).
” The MAC got their first runs in the second inning. Ford.
