GAYLORD — The assignment is always clear this time of year on the baseball field: survive and advance.
Getting that done is always the challenge, as nobody wants a season to end.
Despite a pair of wins over Sault Ste. Marie, each by at least 10 runs, earlier this season, Petoskey’s baseball team picked up a challenge from the Blue Devils when Division 2 district baseball started Tuesday, May 26 in Gaylord.
Petoskey battled through a pitcher’s dual and leaned on a one-run advantage throughout to eventually survive a 1-0 final against the Sault.
Petoskey’s Dylan Aukeman went the distance with a seven-inning victory, allowing just three hits and one walk, while striking out five. It kept up a run of great starts for Aukeman of late, with the junior pitcher tossing quality starts over his last five outings atop the hill.
On the other side, Petoskey’s bats got to starter Carter Samuelson, who allowed eight hits, though the Blue Devils did a solid job getting out of jams throughout. Samuelson went seven innings with also two walks issued and three strikeouts. The lone run allowed came unearned.
Brock Jeffers and Tate Russell each doubled for Petoskey, then Elijah Young went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The win moved Petoskey to 22-8 overall and came as their ninth over their last 10 games.
Petoskey now meets up with Cheboygan at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30 in Gaylord for a chance to play in the district final against either Grayling or Gaylord.
DIVISION 3
Mancelona 13, Charlevoix 1
MANCELONA — A tough 2026 season for the Charlevoix baseball team wrapped up Tuesday in Division 3 district play in Mancelona.
The Rayders dropped a 13-1 final against the host Ironmen, concluding a 1-26 season for Charlevoix, just a few seasons after historic postseason runs, including a 2024 semifinal trip.
Despite the struggles, senior Max Reynolds kept up a solid season at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and a steal for Charlevoix.
DIVISION 4
Bellaire 6 East Jordan 4
BELLAIRE — A couple weeks back, the East Jordan baseball team earned a pair of more than 10-run victories over Bellaire.
The postseason is a different animal, however.
East Jordan found that out in the worst way Tuesday, concluding its 2026 season with a 6-4 loss against Bellaire.
EJ actually out-hit the Eagles on the day and knocked a trio of doubles on the base paths, though couldn’t get enough runs home in the end.
Max Beal went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, Griffin Boyer went 2-for-3 and William Webb went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Inigo Knauf also doubled.
Brady Wilson took the loss for EJ, striking out nine, though allowed five hits and three earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Hunter Whiteford also went 2 2/3 innings with three strikeouts.
DIVISION 4
Mackinaw City 19, Cedarville-DeTour 1 (4 inn.)
PICKFORD — A warm day in Pickford brought some hot bats at the plate for the Mackinaw City baseball team as Division 4 district play began Tuesday.
The Comets erupted for 19 runs in a victory over Cedarville-DeTour, which came on 12 hits.
Along with the big play at the plate, Mackinaw’s Braylon Currie also became the program leader in career strikeouts, passing Jason Thompson for No. 1 on the list.
Currie went all four innings with nine strikeouts, giving up one hit and one walk.
Tyler Hingston went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs, Ben Strittmatter singled, doubled and drove in two runs, Knox Wilson was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, Currie scored four runs and drove in two and Wes House added two RBIs.
Mackinaw City (14-7) next meets Rudyard on Friday, May 29 for a district semifinal game.
SOFTBALL
DIVISION 3
Cheboygan 16, Harbor Springs 2
CHEBOYGAN — The season concluded for the Harbor Springs softball team in a 16-2 Division 3 district opening defeat against Cheboygan Tuesday.
The Rams headed to Cheboygan and quickly fell behind 4-0 in the first, then surrendered another seven runs to Cheboygan in the third.
Complete stats for the Rams were not available following the matchup.
Harbor Springs finished out a 16-12 season with the loss, while Cheboygan moves on to meet Boyne City at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 30 in Boyne City.
DIVISION 4
East Jordan 17, Ellsworth 0 (3 inn.)
ELLSWORTH — It was a quick opener for the East Jordan softball team as Division 4 district play began Tuesday.
The Red Devils’ nine hits and 17 runs made sure of it over just three innings of work.
A three-inning perfect game from Emma Murray, which included three strikeouts, also helped.
Murray was also 3-for-3 with five RBIs and three runs, then Bristol Skop went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Both also doubled.
Lily Pinney doubled and drove in two runs, then Caitlyn Burks also had an RBI.
East Jordan (17-15) advances to a D4 district semifinal at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 30 against Central Lake at Ellsworth.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey rides Aukeman gem to district win, Murray helps EJ softball advance
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
