D3 Softball Final: Clinton 1st a 2nd Time

June 16, 2012

BATTLE CREEK – Clinton seniors Tierney Nelson, Haley Mercy and Abi Clark finished their four-year varsity careers and fourth trips to Bailey Park with their team’s second-straight Division 3 championship Saturday.

Nelson struck out seven and gave up six hits as the Redskins were outhit 6-5, but made good on their opportunities for three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth.

Junior Cami Prater hit a solo home run for Clinton (43-1), and all three seniors also drove in a run.

Gladstone, making its third championship game appearance in nine seasons, gave up only one earned run and got a combined five strikeouts from junior Alison Austin and sophomore Christine Sharon, who each threw three innings. Senior rightfielder Katie Becker had three hits and senior leftfielder Whitney Wells had two.

Clinton entered the tournament ranked No.1, and Gladstone (30-6-1) was No. 7. Click for a complete box score.

PHOTO: Clinton senior Tierney Nelson prepares to unleash a pitch during Saturday's Division 3 Final.

Have You Seen "The Catch" from Friday's Softball Semifinals?

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 17, 2023

An over-the-fence homer-robbing grab by Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Alexys Zeien took just a few seconds to become legend Friday, creating a buzz all over Old College Field where the MHSAA and Michigan State are hosting Softball, Baseball and Girls Soccer Finals this weekend.

The Irish senior centerfielder’s snag of what looked to be a sure-thing fence-clearing drive by Unionville-Sebewaing junior Gabrielle Crumm is getting national play this morning as well. Check it out above, from the NFHS Network, via the State Champs! Sports Network feed.

Click for full coverage of USA’s 2-1 win from MHSAA.com.

Photo by Jim Pivarnik.

PHOTO by Jim Pivarnik.