D4 Softball Final: Dansville Dream Come True
June 16, 2012
BATTLE CREEK – Dansville’s three MHSAA Semifinal games over the last four seasons included a nine-run loss to Petersburg-Summerfield in 2010, the first of two straight seasons the Bulldogs went on to win the Division 4 title.
It was fair to expect a similar result in Saturday’s championship game, with Petersburg-Summerfield again the top-ranked team heading into this tournament.
But the Aggies, a day after their first Semifinal win ever, capped this spring with the best ending of all.
Thanks to a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, Dansville claimed its first championship with a 3-2 win in the final game for seniors Rebekah Guy, Addie Price and Alison Schlicker, who as freshmen all helped the 2009 team get to Battle Creek for the first time.
The Aggies entered this year’s tournament ranked No. 9.
Sophomore centerfielder Hailey Mays started off the sixth inning rally with a single, and she eventually scored on a single by junior leftfielder Paige Galbreath. Sophomore third baseman Taylor Hoefling doubled Galbreath home.
Junior first baseman Evy Lobdel had two hits for the Aggies (31-5) and drove in the first run. Sophomore pitcher Meagan Kelly struck out only two Bulldogs, but didn’t walk any and gave up just one earned run.
Senior catcher Taylor Goodin led Petersburg-Summerfield (34-4) with two hits and an RBI. Senior pitcher Emily Puterbaugh ended a stellar career by striking out six over six innings.
PHOTO: Dansville pitcher Meagan Kelley won both games as the Aggies won their first Semifinal and Final ever this weekend at Bailey Park.
Performance of the Week: Macomb Dakota's Gracie Maloney
May 12, 2023
Gracie Maloney ♦ Macomb Dakota
Junior ♦ Softball
Maloney struck out 21 batters – for every one of her team’s outs – in Dakota’s 9-1 victory over Grosse Pointe North on May 1. She gave up only two hits and also hit a home run for the Cougars, who are ranked No. 1 in Division 1 in the latest state coaches association poll. Maloney is one of only 13 pitchers in state softball history to strike out 21 or more hitters during a seven-inning game.
Also a third baseman, Maloney started last season’s Division 1 Final at that position and threw an inning of relief as well as Dakota finished runner-up to Allen Park. She also plays basketball, and has committed to sign to play softball at University of North Texas. She’s considering studying sports management there as she aspires to become a college softball coach.
@mhsaasports 🥎 POW: Gracie Maloney #softball #strikeout #strike #performanceoftheweek #homerun #dakota #macombdakota #cougars #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok #mistudentaid #fyp @gracie ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat
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2022-23 Honorees
May 4: Braxton Brann, Ann Arbor Huron track & field - Report
April 27: Owen Patton, Vestaburg track & field - Report
April 20: Lilly Damm, Millington softball - Report
April 13: Larissa Huffman, Mackinaw City track & field - Report
April 6: Darius Acuff, Detroit Cass Tech basketball - Report
March 23: Regan Finkbeiner, Hemlock basketball - Report
March 16: Alaina Yaney, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Report
March 9: Braeden Davis, Dundee wrestling - Report
March 2: Gabriel Sanchez-Burks, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Feb. 23: Grace Sobczak, Marquette swimming - Report
Feb. 16: Kaitlynn Demers, Gibraltar Carlson competitive cheer - Report
Feb. 9: Indya Davis, West Bloomfield basketball - Report
Feb. 2: Braydon Sorenson, Onekama skiing - Report
Jan. 26: Shayna Hruska, Iron Mountain wrestling - Report
Jan. 19: Kayla Tafanelli, Warren Woods-Tower bowling - Report
Dec. 20: Brenden Paden, Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey - Report
Dec. 16: Tuff Scott, Holton bowling - Report
Dec. 9: Macey Fegan, Standish-Sterling basketball - Report
Dec. 2: Treyton Siegert, Gladwin football - Report
Nov. 24: Lily Witte, Dexter diving - Report
Nov. 17: Navea Gauthier, Shelby volleyball - Report
Nov. 10: Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27: Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20: Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6: Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30: Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15: Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8: Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1: Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25: Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report
PHOTOS courtesy of the Maloney family.