D1 Softball Final: Safe at Home, Again

June 16, 2012

BATTLE CREEK – The combined numbers put up Mattawan and Hudsonville in Saturday’s Division 1 Final at Bailey Park indicate a game that came down to just one play.

And Eagles junior shortstop Danielle Freeman made it when she slid into home safely to give her team a 2-1 win in 10 innings and the MHSAA championship.

The teams did combine for 19 hits over 19 innings pitched, but only one earned run. At the end, Hudsonville freshman Lexi Agers won out by the slightest of margins over Mattawan senior Stacy Thompson, who had helped her team to the title in 2011.

Agers struck out six and walked only one in 10 innings. Thompson stuck out eight and walked only one as well for the Wildcats, who finished 33-11.

Freeman led off the bottom of the 10th with a single to center field. Junior first baseman Ellie Adams followed with a single to right. Freeman then scored on a throwing error after senior second baseman Bri Elliott had bunted her to third base.

Freeman finished with three hits and Agers had two for Hudsonville, which finished 40-3 and entered the tournament ranked No. 4. Sophomore second baseman Kyla Nickrent had two hits and scored the lone run for Mattawan, which was ranked No. 3. Click for a complete box score.

The championship was Hudsonville’s third in four seasons.

PHOTO: Hudsonville's Josie Hamming slides in safely during the second inning for the Eagles' first run in the Division 2 Final.

D2 Softball Final: The Legend of Hayes

June 16, 2012

BATTLE CREEK – The legend of Livonia Ladywood sophomore Lauren Hayes sprouted with two outs left in Friday’s Division 2 Semifinal at Bailey Park.

It grew exponentially in Saturday’s championship game.

Coming in for injured four-year pitcher Briana Combs and needing two outs Friday against Wayland Union, Hayes got two strikeouts. And in the Final, with Combs unable to throw due to a left knee injury, Hayes tossed a three-hitter to lead the Blazers to a 4-0 win over Saginaw Swan Valley and their first MHSAA title.

Hayes also had three hits and two RBI leading off for Ladywood, which finished 39-3 and entered the tournament ranked No. 2. Junior third baseman Celeste Fidge also played a big part, driving in two runs.

Swan Valley entered the tournament ranked No. 3 and got one more impressive pitching performance from senior Mackenzie Boehler, who gave up only two earned runs.

The Vikings finished 39-3. Click for a full box score.