Kingsford Greens earned the Michigan Class A American Legion baseball championship at the state tournament in Stevensville. From left in front are Bradlee Bottesi, Nolan Hendrickson, Landon Amundson, Cameron Varda, Garrett Brown and Jack Kriegl; in back are head coach Bobby Anderson, coach Dek Forstrom, Andres Finley, Gavin Trevillian, Joey Weber, Trent McLain, coach Ryan McLain and team manager Dan Weber. (Courtesy photo)

The Michigan Class A American Legion baseball state title trophy has a new home in Dickinson County.

The Kingsford Senior Greens, a team composed of players from Kingsford, Norway and Florence, capped a thrilling state tournament weekend with an 8-4 victory over Stevensville-Lakeshore in the title game Sunday to bring home the hardware — a fitting finale for a core group of players who have been on the cusp many times throughout their Little League and high school careers but unable to secure the ultimate goal.

“We had no errors and hit very well,” Kingsford head coach Bobby Anderson said. “We didn’t make hardly any mistakes at all. These kids, they’ve been so close. They were on the brink of being champions, basically their whole childhood, but just came up short every time. So, it’s not just about a trophy for these kids. They’ve shown perseverance, growth, and so much heart. I just can’t say enough. They’re leaders in the dugout every day, every game.”

Perseverance was needed and on full display during the four-day state tournament. After winning their opener 9-5 against Three Oaks on Thursday, the boys dropped a 4-2 decision to tournament host Stevensville on Friday, meaning another loss would end the season.

As the tournament progressed into Saturday, Kingsford rallied for a 5-0 win over Three Oaks and later in the day defeated Stevensville 5-2 to set up the Sunday morning title showdown.

The Greens fell behind 1-0 after one in the title game and saw a 3-1 lead evaporate after five innings, but an RBI single by Trent McLain and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Landon Amundson helped Kingsford regain the lead for good in the sixth inning. Stevensville added another run in the bottom of the sixth before Kingsford plated three more in the seventh to gain command, taking advantage of a sloppy Stevensville defense in the inning.

The hosts did not go down quietly in their final at-bat, getting two on with nobody out, but relief pitcher Cam Varda induced a double play ground ball to shortstop Gavin Trevillian who flipped to Garrett Brown at second and on to Amundson at first. Varda then got a grounder to Brown at second to end the game and bring on the state title victory celebration.

“Watching them finally get this victory, they’ve worked so hard, there truly are no words. I could not be more proud of this group and what they accomplished,” Anderson said. “They’re state champs, and they’ve earned every bit of it.”

After so many seasons, countless tournaments and most of the guys having graduated from high school earlier this spring, the Greens were well aware that this state tournament would most likely mark the final time for this core group to play together.

“We always won a lot of tournaments growing up so we knew it was possible but every year, but in all-stars we would fall just short,” said Andres Finley, who had two hits including an RBI double and a triple and two runs scored in the title game. “We knew this was the last time most of us will ever play with each other and it truly means a lot to finish the year and our careers together as state champions. It’s been a great ride with these boys and it’s been an honor. I would like to thank Dan Brown and all of the other coaches that put time into me as a player and us as a team they truly made this possible for us kids. They made a huge impact in our lives not just in baseball.”

Jack Kriegl, set to be a senior at Kingsford, picked up the win on the mound after going five innings and allowing three runs on two hits with four walks while striking out four. He also had a RBI hit in the fourth. McLain finished two hits, as did Admundson. Brown also poked two singles in the clincher as the Greens totaled 10 hits in the win.

Kingsford never trailed in their Saturday win over Stevensville to advance into the title game. McLain led the charge at the plate with three of the team’s seven hits, including a two-run homer to left in the fifth inning. Brown also had three hits in the win.

Joey Weber collected the victory on the mound allowing five hits over five innings while striking out six and walking just two.

Kriegl and McClain combined for the shutout over Three Oaks earlier on Saturday. Bradlee Bottesi provided a two-run single in the Green’s three-run third inning. Admundson added three hits, and Finley had a RBI single.

In their opening win on Thursday, Nolan Hendrickson was a home run shy of the cycle with his 3-for-3 effort with one RBI. Kriegl and Admundson each produced two RBIs. Varda added a run-scoring double, and Bottesi had a RBI hit.

“I have to give a shoutout to Dan Brown. He brought these kids from 8U, all the way up to what they are now. Training every single day,” Anderson said. “They have earned every single bit of this. And also, Dek Forstrom who helped me coach, Dan Weber, too, who did all of the behind-the-scenes stuff that nobody really sees. Together, we all brought it back. We brought a state title back to the U.P.”