Logo

High 5s: 6/12/12

June 14, 2012

A few thousand teams began this spring on MHSAA fields and courts. Heading into the final weekend of the 2011-12 school year, that number is down to 100 and change.

Each week, Second Half gives "High 5s" to athletes and a team based on their accomplishments the previous week or throughout the season. Below are an athlete and team who will be looking to finish this season with one last win.

Josh Vyletel
Howell senior
Pitcher

Vyletel threw a complete-game no-hitter as Howell beat rival Brighton 4-3 in a Division 1 Quarterfinal on Tuesday to advance to the MHSAA Semifinals for the first time. Vyletel improved to 15-2 this spring, which ties him for 10th in the MHSAA record book for most wins in one season. He’ll take the ball again Friday for the Highlanders against Warren DeLaSalle at Battle Creek’s Bailey Park.

My kind of pitcher: “I want to be a pitcher that’s a go-to guy. I always want to be consistent. I know how to throw strikes; I don’t walk too many batters. I know if I get it over the plate, good things will happen. I’m not really the kind of pitcher that will blow it by you. My game is hitting the corners and such, and when I do it pretty well and locate my pitches, I believe in myself.”

He winds up and delivers: “My fastball moves by itself, and I usually keep them off-balance with the curve. My fastball and curveball I can locate the best.”

No. 1 highlight: “Against Brighton, the last game we played. It was crazy. There was a big crowd, and every pitch the parents and students were just going out cheering. It got my adrenaline going.”

I learned the most about baseball from: “My dad (John) has always been there for me. He’s always backing me up on baseball. He was never a great baseball player, but he says if you believe in yourself you can go far in life. He taught me to believe in myself.”

Up next: Vyletel will attend Lansing Community College beginning this fall and join the Stars’ baseball team. 

Grandville Calvin Christian girls soccer

Calvin Christian will play for its first MHSAA championship Saturday at Michigan State University. Last weekend, the Squires (24-2-1) knocked out two ranked teams in last week’s Division 4 Regional – first No. 8 St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 7-0 and then No. 2 Kalamazoo Christian 7-2. The Squires entered the postseason ranked No. 4.

This spring's previous honorees

Lumen Christi keeper Izzy Ermatinger makes the title-clinching save during a shootout that decided the Division 4 title Friday.

Lumen Christi Shows Resolve, Ermatinger Shines in History-Making Clincher

By Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com

June 14, 2024

EAST LANSING – Jackson Lumen Christi keeper Izzy Ermatinger stepped up to kick first as the Titans began a Division 4 championship-deciding shootout Kalamazoo Christian on Friday.

She scored, then was brilliant in net stopping all but one of the Comets’ shots to clinch the Titans’ first Finals title in this sport with a 2-1 victory at DeMartin Stadium.

Lumen won the shootout 3-1, as Paige Lefere and Paityn Petitto also buried shots in the deciding portion following 100 minutes of regulation and overtime.

“I always kick left when we are doing PKs (penalty kicks). That’s what I normally do, and I got it,” Ermatinger said.

“We’ve been practicing PKs all through the season in case something like this came up. Every day at practice we shoot PKs,” added Codi Ruge, who scored Lumen’s regulation goal. “Izzy was fantastic. She’s a great goalie and we’re going to miss her.”

Lumen Christi had played in a championship match one other time, in 2000, and finished the season 14-7 after going 2-6 and placing eighth in the Catholic High School League AA.

The Titans gave up only two goals over seven tournament games during this run. Lumen Christi endured Friday's marathon while subbing only once, making the performance even more impressive. 

Kalamazoo Christian’s Jordyn Bonnema (11) elevates to get to the ball.Kalamazoo Christian also showed its mettle after experiencing an unusual journey to the championship match. The team bus broke down just outside of Battle Creek. Family and friends had to pitch in and get the players to East Lansing. They arrived about 45 minutes before game time, with the MHSAA pushing back the start by five minutes.

The Titans struck first when Petitto sent a 40-yard pass to Ruge, who took the ball in stride and blasted a shot into the net just under four minutes into the match. It was the sophomore’s 17th goal of the season, and Petitto’s 10thassist.

“Every game in the huddle we come out and say first five (minutes), let’s score,’’ said Ruge. “That’s what we did. We wanted to get an early goal to get some momentum. It was a very good pass by (Petitto). We’ve been playing the same people most of the season, so that helped us.”

The Titans kept the offensive pressure on, keeping the ball in the Comets’ half for the first 20 minutes. 

Kalamazoo Christian (18-5-2) was unable to take advantage of Lumen Christi’s lack of depth, and struggled to find offensive consistency. Still, the Comets had a great chance to tie the game late in the first half, but a shot sailed over the top of the net.

They wasted no time scoring to start the second half, as Ari Allen capitalized on a Lumen Christi miscue on a pass and scored from the left side on a Phoebe Zeyl assist to tie the score 1-1.

Both goalies – the Comets’ Elizabeth Netz, and Ermatinger – were excellent in goal, making four and seven saves, respectively.

The championship capped a run that also included Lumen Christi’s first Regional title since 2007.

“This means a lot to us,’’ Ruge said. “It has never happened before, and it’s something we’ll never forget.’’ 

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) Lumen Christi keeper Izzy Ermatinger makes the title-clinching save during a shootout that decided the Division 4 title Friday. (Middle) Kalamazoo Christian’s Jordyn Bonnema (11) elevates to get to the ball.