BARK RIVER — The Bark River-Harris Broncos picked up a weekend doubleheader win (19-0, 16-0) against the Lake Linden-Hubbel Lakes Saturday afternoon in Bark River.

Both games ended in the middle of the 3rd inning via the mercy rule.

Nick Javurek — who started and pitched two complete innings — and Carter Zawacki split duties on the mound for the first game. Max Hall started the second game for Bark River and was relieved by Isaac Ives in the second. The wins were credited to Javurek and Hall.

“We came out and threw a lot of strikes and played good, fundamental, defense,” said Bark River coach Al Botwright. “It was great to have Lake Linden come down here for a Saturday game. I know it was for them.

“It’s always nice to play a couple baseball games on a nice Saturday afternoon. So, we’re very appreciative of them willing to take the three-hour drive and play us at our place. We can’t thank them enough for that.”

The pair of wins keep the Broncos undefeated to begin the season. While he is happy with the solid start, Botwright is cautiously optimistic about momentum going forward.

“As Jim Leyland used to say, ‘Momentum is only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher,'” he said. “I always live by that simple little truism. You can have all the wins you want, but if that day’s starting pitcher doesn’t come out and throw strikes, you’re going to have a long day.”

While there wasn’t a whole lot of action for the Lakes offensively, Nathan Shank spiced things up in the second inning for the team.

Shank got on first with a single knocked into right field.

Once on base, he lit things up by stealing second and third in quick succession.

Ives, however, would strike out Luc Destrampe to retire the side and leave Shank stranded at third.

It was the first time this season that Lake Linden hit the field for a game. With the season still in its infancy, coach Leon Sutherland said the game was a chance to try some new and different things out.

“Well, we’ve been practicing for a couple weeks, and we came in with the idea that this was going to be a scrimmage game for us. We were going to try some things and let some kids practice. That’s what we did,” Sutherland said. “It was good for our kids to come out and be able to get out and play. We got a lot of stuff to work on, but we’re going to get better. We’re hoping to be competitive in our conference and get the kids out and playing and have some fun.”

Sutherland added that the game allowed the Lakes to adapt to a gameday setting.

“It’s a lot different pitching off a mound in the gym than it is when everybody is watching you, and you got a good batter up there that’s waiting to crush a ball on you,” he said. “So, it was good. The kids got out and got to play. We’ll improve.”

The Lakes will take on Pellston Friday while the Broncos host the Gladstone Braves Tuesday.