Jominy’s Final Masterpiece for Mattawan

*Kaden Jominy saved his best outing for the biggest stage. The Cornell commit tossed a shutout to lead Mattawan to an 8-0 victory over Kalamazoo Central* on Saturday, capturing the Division 1 district title and giving the Wildcats their second straight district championship.

According to coverage from mlive.com, Jominy delivered what the outlet called "one last masterpiece" against a rival coach who "had seen more than enough of him."

A Shutout Streak Extends

The 8-0 win extended Mattawan’s playoff shutout streak. The Wildcats had already set the tone in the district opener with another blank.

Earlier in the tournament, Jominy recorded nine strikeouts in a 5-0 district-opening victory over Loy Norrix. Ethan Bouma contributed a key hit in that game, helping Mattawan secure the playoff-opening shutout.

"I’m glad I don’t have to see him again," the mlive headline quoted, capturing the rivalry dynamic that defined the tournament run.

Jominy’s Dominant Season

Jominy’s performance in the district title game capped a dominant season for the left-handed pitcher. Before the playoffs, he had already struck out a season-high 10 batters in a regular-season win over Lakeshore, according to mlive’s Kalamazoo-area baseball power rankings.

Maxx VanAntwerp, another lefty in Mattawan’s rotation, had been leading the team’s pitching staff earlier in the season. But Jominy carried the load when it mattered most.

What Comes Next

The district title sends Mattawan into the regional round of the MHSAA playoffs. The Wildcats will look to keep their shutout streak alive as they advance deeper into the postseason.

For Jominy, the tournament run serves as a final showcase before he heads to Cornell University for his collegiate career. The Cornell commit leaves Mattawan with a district title and a reputation as one of the most dominant pitchers in the area.

Season Recap

  • District Final: Mattawan 8, Kalamazoo Central 0 (May 30, 2026)
  • District Opener: Mattawan 5, Loy Norrix 0
  • Pitcher: Kaden Jominy (Cornell commit)
  • Title: Second consecutive Division 1 district championship for Mattawan

According to mlive.com, the Wildcats powered their way to the title with strong pitching and timely hitting throughout the tournament.

Mattawan baseball enters the regional round with momentum and a pitching staff that has not allowed a run all postseason.