“Live For Me” - Spartans Honor Eddie Kaufman with Emotional Night and Statement Win
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | April 9, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
Beautiful night. Full meaning.
At Mid Valley’s Spartan Complex, this one carried more than just innings and runs…it carried purpose.
The Spartans took the field for the 1st Annual “Live For Me” Game, honoring the life and legacy of Eddie Kaufman (Class of 2023) a teammate, a leader, and someone who defined what it meant to wear the jersey the right way.
And when the game began, Mid Valley played like it mattered.
Because it did.
Eddie Kaufman wasn’t just a ballplayer.
He was everything you want your program to stand for, character, discipline, leadership, and love for the game.
After battling T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Eddie passed away this past October at just 20 years old.
But Thursday night made one thing clear:
His presence is still here.
Before first pitch, Eddie’s parents, Brian and Melissa Kaufman took the field to deliver a moment nobody in attendance will forget.
Senior Brett Yanoski, wearing Eddie’s No. 10, received the first annual Eddie Kaufman Award, given to the player who best represents everything Eddie stood for.
A full-circle moment.
One built on respect, legacy, and love for the game.
Once the game started, Mid Valley wasted no time setting the tone.
They jumped out early, stringing together hits in the first and building a 5-0 lead by the second.
No hesitation. No let up.
The Spartans kept pressure on all night, adding a decisive six-run sixth inning that put the game out of reach for the 11-5 victory.
Turning Point
It came in the sixth. A lineup-wide surge:
- Jeremy Cali forced in a run on a fielder’s choice
- Joey Romanosky added a sacrifice fly
- Nick Mills doubled to bring one in
- Brett Yanoski doubled to add another
- Jake Bondy capped it with a two-run single
Five different ways to score. One inning that broke it open.
Nick Mills – Mid Valley
3-for-4
Double
Set the tone all night
Mid Valley’s lineup delivered everywhere:
- Brett Yanoski: 2 RBIs, emotional leader on a meaningful night
- Jake Bondy: 2 RBIs
- Cooper Lukasavage: 2 RBIs + complete game on the mound
- Romanosky, Buza, Merrifield: multiple hits
15 hits as a team. 5 stolen bases. Relentless pressure.
- Cooper Lukasavage – Mid Valley
7 innings
9 hits
5 runs (4 earned)
3 strikeouts
Worked through traffic and delivered a complete game effort.
Lakeland showed fight late.
David Naniewicz launched a two-run homer in the seventh and finished 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
Nine hits as a team, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Game Notes
- Mid Valley: 11 runs, 15 hits
- Lakeland: 5 runs, 9 hits
- Spartans: 5 stolen bases
- Both teams turned a double play
Mid Valley showed what kind of program they are…connected, driven, and playing for something bigger.
Some games you remember for the score.
Some games you remember for what they meant.
Under the lights…
With Eddie’s name on the night…The Spartans didn’t just play.
They honored. And that lasts forever.
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