KINGSFORD, MI – A late-inning surge propelled the Kingsford Flivvers to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Forest Park Trojans in a closely contested matchup at the Upper Peninsula High School Baseball Showcase on Saturday. The game, held at Iron Mountain’s historic field, saw momentum swing dramatically, culminating in a walk-off win for the Flivvers that left Forest Park stunned.
The Trojans, known for their strong pitching and disciplined offense, initially took control of the game. They jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a series of well-placed hits and a Kingsford error. Forest Park extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
However, Kingsford refused to back down. After being held scoreless for the first five innings by Forest Park’s starting pitcher, senior ace Connor Nelson, the Flivvers finally found their rhythm in the sixth. A lead-off double by junior infielder, Trent Juul, sparked the Kingsford offense. Juul advanced to third on a passed ball and then scored on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder, Cole Garvaglia, narrowing the gap to 3-1.
The seventh inning brought even more drama. Down to their final three outs, the Flivvers mounted a furious rally. Senior catcher, Joe Dal Santo, led off with a single. A walk and another single loaded the bases with no outs. Forest Park then made a pitching change, bringing in relief pitcher, sophomore phenom, Michael Lancour. After a strikeout, a crucial error by the Forest Park shortstop allowed two runs to score, tying the game at 3-3.
With runners on first and second and one out, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Sophomore outfielder, Joey Weber, stepped up to the plate and delivered a clutch single to center field, driving in the winning run and sending the Kingsford faithful into a frenzy.
"This was a huge win for our team," said Kingsford head coach Joe Kriegl after the game. "We showed a lot of resilience and determination to come back like that. We never gave up, even when we were down three runs. Our kids battled, and they earned this victory.”
The Flivvers' pitching was also a key factor in their comeback. Starter, junior pitcher, Trevor Povolo, pitched five solid innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four. Junior relief pitcher, Erik Maki, entered the game in the sixth and shut down the Forest Park offense, earning the win. Maki pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out two.
For Forest Park, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. Connor Nelson pitched well, but ultimately, the defense faltered at a crucial moment. The Trojans struggled to generate offense after their initial surge, managing only one hit in the final three innings.
"We just couldn't close it out," said Forest Park head coach, Kevin Peterson. "We made some mistakes in the field that cost us, and we didn't hit the ball well enough late in the game. It's a tough loss, but we'll learn from it and come back stronger."
The game was part of the annual U.P. High School Baseball Showcase, which features top teams from across the Upper Peninsula. The event provides an opportunity for players to showcase their talents in front of college scouts and fans.
Both Kingsford and Forest Park are expected to be contenders for the regional championship this season, and this game served as a preview of what could be a thrilling playoff matchup. The Flivvers, with their come-from-behind victory, have gained valuable momentum, while the Trojans will be looking to bounce back quickly from this disappointing defeat.
Kingsford (6-3) will travel to Marquette on Tuesday for a double header. Forest Park (7-2) will host North Dickinson on the same day.
