The 8th ranked Lakeview baseball team jumped out to an early 4-0 lead over Portage Central, on their way to an 8-2 win in game one of their scheduled doubleheader with the visiting Mustangs.

Central was leading 7-1 in the 3rd inning of the nightcap, when that game was postponed by rain.

Country singer and Lakeview alum Frankie Ballard threw out the first pitch at Thursday's 'Strike out Cancer' game.

Ballard, who played on Lakeview's 2000 state championship team, was a little wild with his ceremonial toss, throwing it over the glove of his former head coach Butch Perry.

"I'm a little rusty" joked the Nashville resident.

Ballard, who also spent the afternoon with the school's guitar class, was in town for the school's weekend long centennial celebration.

The 39-year old told me that he recorded "a whole bunch of new music" during the pandemic, and that he is very excited to get back out on the road and tour this summer.

Watch the video to see highlights of the Spartans game one win, and to hear what Ballard enjoyed the most about his Battle Creek homecoming.