Mike Ignasiak of Saline watches his shot during play at the Michigan Amateur at Muskegon Country Club Friday.

Courtesy Photo

By Cory Olson

MUSKEGON, MI -- Former Major League Baseball pitcher and Saline resident Mike Ignasiak defeated two players in the Michigan Amateur Friday, securing his spot in the match play semifinals Saturday at Muskegon Country Club.

Ignasiak, 47, will take on Tom Gieselman, a 51-year-old reinstated amateur from Commerce Township who played in six Buick Opens as a professional.

“I’m playing solid right now," Ignasiak said. "Nothing crazy. Flat stick got hot and things are going well."

Ignasiak defeated 2007 Amateur champion Greg Davies of West Bloomfield 6 and 5 in the morning Thursday, and then beat Golf Association of Michigan Golfer of the Decade of the 2000s, Russ Cunningham of DeWitt, 5 and 3 in the afternoon.

“I’m keeping it in play, and I’m hitting it long," Ignasiak said. "That’s good on this course. My putting around the green is getting better every day."

“Eagle on No. 6 got it going, and a great up and down on No. 8 to keep the round going. I just hit the ball close enough all day that I put the pressure on Russ and Greg. Those guys can flat out play. Both guys are great competitors, great players, and I got the better of them today, that’s all."

Andy Chapman of Traverse City and Brad Bastion of Grand Blanc tee off at 8 a.m. while Ignasiak and Gieselman tee off at 8:15 a.m.

Ignasiak, who owns the Dairy Queen in Saline was confident he could win the week.

“I know I’m good enough to win," Ignasiak said. "I just have to manage my game and get my putter going. Everybody here is the same way. Everybody in the sweet 16 was good enough to win it."