The Manistee Saints (20-7) drew a first round bye in the National Amateur Baseball Federation Regional Tournament at Saginaw and will play their first game on Friday against the defending tournament champs, the Muskegon Blue Jays. Game time at the Saginaw Valley Lutheran diamond is 11 a.m.

Manager Tyrone Collins has tabbed Ty Sobczak (5-1) as his starting pitcher for the Friday opener.

Other teams in the Regional include Michigan Area Braves, Midland Tribe, Pontiac Parker, and Saginaw Means.

Pool A                                     Pool B

Midland Tribe                          Manistee Saints

Pontiac Parker                          Saginaw Means

Michigan Area Braves              Muskegon Blue Jays

Tournament Schedule

Thurs, August 1    11 a.m.             Midland vs Mich Area Braves

                               1:30 p.m.           Saginaw vs Muskegon

                               4 p.m.                Mich Area Braves vs Pontiac

Fri, August 2         11 a.m.           Manistee vs Muskegon

                               1:30 p.m.         Midland vs Pontiac

                               4 p.m.              Manistee vs Saginaw

Sat, August 3          11 a.m.           Pool A winner vs Pool B runners-up

                               2 p.m.              Pool A runners-up vs Pool B winner

                               5 p.m.              Championship Game-Winners of 11 am & 2 pm games

The Manistee Saints (20-7) split their series with the Midland Tribe over the weekend, losing both games on Saturday by scores of 11-4 and 5-2 and sweeping Sundays games by scores of 6-5 and 3-1 to finish in 2^nd place in the Great Lake UBL for the 2^nd consecutive year.

On Saturday, Saints pitchers couldn’t find the strike zone, fell behind early, and dropped an 11-4 decision. Kirk Myers (3-2) was charged with the loss allowing 8 runs in just 3 innings. The 2^nd game was a more closely played game, but the Saints again came up on the short end of the score with Cam Fewless (2-2) taking a tough loss.

The Saints turned the tables on Midland on Sunday, scoring a single run in the bottom of the 7^th inning to pick up a 6-5 win in the opener and then getting great pitching to take a 3-1 win in the nightcap. Kyle Gorski (4-1) picked up the win in relief of Levi Irish in the first game and gained a save with a scoreless 7^th inning in the 2^nd game. Lucas Richardson’s bases loaded infield single drove home the winning run in the 1^st game and Ty Sobczak picked up his 6^th win of the year with 6 innings of 1 run ball in the nightcap.

The Saints travel to Saginaw for the Regional round of the National Amateur Baseball Federation tournament on Thursday.

     The Manistee Saints (18-5) host the Midland Tribe in the last homestand of the season before turning their attention to the NABF tournament in Saginaw next week.

     On Saturday, the Saints will celebrate their 85th birthday with cash prizes throughout the games which start at 1 p.m. Manager Tyrone Collins has named Kirk Myers (3-1) and Cam Fewless (2-1) to handle the pitching chores against the Tribe.

     On Sunday, the Saints will induct Clint Druckenmiller and Steve Adamski into their Hall of Fame with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. , followed by games against Midland. Starting pitcher's for Sunday's twin bill are Levi Irish (2-1) and Ty Sobczak (5-1).

     Coach Collins has said everyone will see action over the weekend as the Saints prepare for tournament play.

     Come celebrate with us all weekend at Rietz Park! It's our 85th birthday party on Saturday with cash drawing each inning of the first game and a grand prize drawing between games of $ 850! Game time with Midland is 1 p.m.

     On Sunday the Saints will induct Clint Druckenmiller and Steve Adamski into their Hall of Fame with ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. followed by another double-header against Midland.

     Great times...great weekend! Hope to see everyone at the old ball yard.