BFC Baseball returned to Drayton McLane field on the campus of MSU to face Traverse City St. Francis in the MHSAA Division III Baseball State Championship game on Saturday, June 17th. Coach Greg Fettes handed the ball to Senior Justin Campbell to pitch for the Ventures. Justin was slow to start in the 1st as he gave up 3 hits but a key defensive play by Evan Ludwick to throw out the lead runner at 3rd, a strikeout and fly ball ended the inning. In the bottom of the 1st Payton Schuster singled and advanced to 2nd on a sac bunt by Max Stevenson. The Ventures loaded the bases on an Evan Finegan walk but could not score a run and the game remained scoreless. Both pitchers settled into a groove as the game progressed with each side trading outs. The next threat for the Ventures was Evan Finegan who singled in the 4th and advanced to 2nd on a ball in the dirt but was left stranded. Campbell got stronger as the game went on but some help from the defense including Mason Minzey on a beautiful bunt and Max Stevenson's sure glove kept St. Francis off the board. The fifth inning would be the tipping point in the game. Evan Ludwick had a crucial 1 out single to start the Ventures off. Payton Schuster followed with his 2nd single of the day to put two runners on for BFC. Max Stevenson did his job and advanced Evan to 3rd with a sac fly. Mason Minzey, with 2 outs, delivered what would be the game winning hit as he drove a ball over the centerfielder's head and plated Evan and Payton. Mason's triple put him in scoring position which allowed Justin Campbell to cushion the lead as he singled and drove in pinch runner Benji Alderson. After 5 innings the Ventures led 3-0. Campbell dealt quickly with St. Francis in the top of the 6th as he set all 3 batters down. The Ventures were 3 outs away from the title as they headed to the top of the 7th inning. Justin Campbell got two quick outs before surrendering 2 base runners with the tying run coming to the plate. The senior pitcher settled in and induced a fly ball to center field Chase Gearing who grabbed the final out and the Ventures grabbed the 2017 MHSAA Division III State Championship to complete a dream season with the 3-0 victory.