Photo Credit: Kayla Beharriell
The Soo 15U Black Sox traveled to Muskegon, Michigan, to compete in the 2026 Muskegon Slugfest over the July 10–12 weekend, battling against a strong tournament field. After a determined effort throughout the weekend, the Black Sox saw their tournament run come to an end with a hard-fought loss in the quarterfinals.
Even though the Soo collected five hits to Renegades Premier four, they still fell 9-5. Luca D’Ulisse led the Black Sox with two hits.
A walk by Axel Luna put the Renegades on the board in the bottom of the first.
Premier scored six runs on one hit in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Krol drew a walk, scoring one run, Eli Gunderson drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored two runs, Gage Kozminski drew a walk, scoring one run, and Aaron Schulz grounded out, scoring one run.
The Renegades added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after the Premier scored on a wild pitch, and the Black Sox committed an error, each scoring one run.
Emmett Hecht earned the win for the Renegades. The hurler allowed five hits and five runs (three earned) over five innings, striking out eight and walking four. Damian Beharriell took the loss for the Soo Black Sox. The pitcher went four innings, giving up nine runs (three earned) on four hits, striking out four and walking six.
Ethan Myers and D’Ulisse each drove in one run for the Black Sox.
Aiden Farr, Gabe Long, Hecht, and Kellen VanderTuuk each collected one hit for the Renegades. Gunderson and Krol each drove in one run for the Premier. The Renegades had a strong eye at the plate, amassing six walks for the game.
Game two of the weekend came with a 4:15 p.m opening pitch in Muskegon with the Black Sox roll past Riptide.
The Black Sox got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Luke Thorburn singled to left field, Brayden Boulrice was struck by a pitch, and Luca D’Ulisse lined out, each scoring one run.
The Soo added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Devon Grbich singled, scoring one run, a wild pitch scored one run, and Thorburn singled, scoring two runs.
Grbich earned the win for the Black Sox. The starting pitcher allowed five hits and one run over five innings, striking out three and walking none. Brady Meyer took the loss for Riptide. The right-handed pitcher went three innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on three hits, striking out three and walking four. Jack McLean led things off on the bump for Riptide. The pitcher gave up one hit and three runs over one inning, striking out none and walking three.
Thorburn provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Black Sox with two runs batted in. The third baseman went 2-for-3 on the day. Grbich paced the Soo with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. The Black Sox were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Noah D’Ulisse had the most chances in the field with four.
Lincoln Peck led Riptide with one run batted in. The second baseman went 1-for-1 on the day. Meyer, Parker Duffield, Peck, Tyler Anstatt, and McLean each collected one hit for Riptide.
In their third and final game of the weekend in the 2026 Muskegon Slugfest quarter-final, the Black Sox couldn’t keep up with Northern Lights and fell 10-4 on Sunday morning.
A double by Graham Cozzens put Traverse City on the board in the bottom of the first.
The Northern Lights added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Brody Liebler walked, Nolan Ruch grounded out, and Cozzens singled to center field, each scoring one run.
Traverse City extended their early lead with four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Liebler and Henry Davis.
Liebler earned the win for the Northern Lights. The righty surrendered seven hits and four runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking four. Gavin Bisaillon took the loss for the Black Sox. The lefty went two innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out one and walking seven.
Bisaillon went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Soo in hits. The Black Sox turned one double play in the game.
Liebler and Cozzens each drove in two runs forTraverse City. Cozzens led the Northern Lights with three hits in three at bats. Davis collected two hits for the Northern Lights in two at bats. Charlie Crigier paced Traverse City
with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, piling up 10 walks for the game. Gabe Westfall stole two bases. The Northern Lights turned two double plays in the game. TTraverse City were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Liebler had the most chances in the field with two.
The Soo will now head across the St Mary’s River for a midweek clash with the Soo Wood Ducks doubleheader on Wednesday, July 15th.
