The Brighton baseball team has been struggling at the plate this season, but got a big boost in a doubleheader at Howell on Wednesday.

Brighton’s hitting woes continued in the opener when the Bulldogs had just four hits and committed four errors. Howell broke open a 3-3 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, then added five more in the sixth to take a 10-3 win. But momentum, as they say in baseball, can shift with a strong pitching performance, and Andrew Renner did just that for Brighton, pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 5-0 victory.

Marcus Chidester was 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the opener. Three Brighton players had two hits in the nightcap as the Bulldogs handed the Highlanders their first shutout loss of the season.

Elsewhere, Hartland stayed unbeaten after sweeping Salem 7-0 and 16-2. Ian Schuster threw a one-hitter in the opener, striking out nine, while Aidan Rockel had a double and drove in three runs. In the nightcap, the Eagles took advantage of six Salem errors. Chase Allen was 2-for-2 with three RBIs. Hartland improved to 17-0-1 overall and 12-0 in the KLAA West. Owen Wiltshire, the first of three pitchers, got the win for Hartland.

Pinckney swept Jackson 16-6 and 3-0. The Pirates took the lead in the opener with an eight-run fourth. Ben Putnam was 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, while Bryce White was 0-for-3 but also drove in three runs. Cooper Harris also homered for Pinckney. In the nightcap, Alex Geyer threw a two-hit shutout for the Pirates.

In softball, top-ranked Hartland kept its hold on first place in the KLAA West with a sweep of Salem. In the opener, Rachel Everett struck out nine and tossed a two-hitter in a 12-0 win. Kelsey Zampa was 3-for-4 with a double and 4 RBIs for the Eagles. In the nightcap, Faith DeLanoy homered twice and drove in five runs, while Delaney Robeson homered and drove in five more in a 20-3 win. Kylie Swierkos also homered and was the winning pitcher for Hartland in the nightcap. Hartland is 18-1, 20-0 in the KLAA West.

Second place Howell swept Brighton 12-3 and 13-3. Meghan Farren homered and had three hits for the Highlanders. Delaney Gillett homered in both games and was 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the nightcap. Avery Wolverton pitched in both games, striking out a total of 15 batters.

In boys lacrosse, Carson Billig had four goals to lead Brighton past Northville 10-5, while Hartland blanked Belleville 25-0. The Brighton girls downed Northville 19-10. Amanda Granader had seven goals to lead the Bulldogs. Elsewhere, Hartland grad Reece Potter has been named to the all-rookie team of the Colonial Athletic Association. He plays lacrosse for Towson State University.

And congratulations are in order for area basketball players who were named the best in their respective divisions by the Basketball Coaches of Michigan. In Division 1 girls basketball, Lillie Gustafson of Harland ad Maeve St. John were named to the first team, while Brighton’s Mary Copple was honorable mention. On the boys' side, Brendan Young of Fowlerville was named to the Division 2 team, while teammate Billy Hutchins was honorable mention.