Moment: USA Win Unforgettable as 1-2-3

May 15, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Unionville-Sebewaing was two runs ahead and three outs away from clinching last season’s Division 4 championship.

But with runners on first and second base, Kalamazoo Christian was still very much in pursuit of a comeback.

And then, the game was over.

In an instant, USA pitcher Brynn Polega took a line drive off her arm. The ball landed with shortstop Rylee Zimmer, who stepped on second base and then threw to first, both behind runners, to finish a triple play and a 3-1 victory.

“It hit me right in the elbow, and I just turned around and I said, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Polega said that day. “I said please get this, and I saw (Zimmerman) step on second. The runner on first was halfway to second, and I said that’s it.’’

“Chaos. I’ve never seen an ending like that,’’ added Patriots coach Isaiah Gainforth. “Whether in the Major Leagues, college baseball. I played a lot of different things, and I’ve never seen anything transpire the way that last inning did. I’m just glad we’re on the winning end of it.’’

Polega, a sophomore, struck out 15 batters and also drove in the go-ahead run during the third inning.

Click for coverage from Second Half and see below for the game-ending play from the NFHS Network.

Performance of the Week: Hudsonville's Ava Snip

June 20, 2024

Ava Snip headshotAva Snip ♦ Hudsonville
Senior ♦ Softball

The Eagles' senior standout threw a complete-game one-hitter Saturday as Hudsonville defeated Lake Orion 5-0 in the Division 1 Final at Secchia Stadium, not only clinching the program's first championship since 2012 but also finishing a perfect season at 42-0. Snip struck out eight batters, walked three, and allowed just a fifth-inning single before getting out of that inning with a flyout and double play.

Snip finished this season with a 19-0 record, 0.54 ERA and 208 strikeouts over 129 2/3 innings pitched while splitting starts with senior Elly Koopman, who finished 18-0 and threw a shutout against Farmington Hills Mercy in the Semifinal. The team's 42 wins are tied for 10th-most for a single season in MHSAA history, and Hudsonville is the only team to win at least 42 games and finish undefeated. Snip was one of five Eagles selected to the Division 1 all-state first team. She next will attend Western Michigan University and study occupational therapy.

@mhsaasports 🥎POW: Ava Snip #softball #hudsonville #letsgo #champion #pitcher #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

@mhsaasports 🥎POW: Ava Snip #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #outerbanks #zachbryan #chickfila #nighttime #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA

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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

Past 2023-24 Honorees

June 13: Claire Marosi, Grand Rapids Catholic Central lacrosse - Report
June 6:
Emmry Ross, Onsted track & field - Report
May 31:
Isaac Sturgess, Flint Powers Catholic baseball - Report
May 30:
Abby Russell, Allen Park track & field - Report 
May 23:
Isabel Thelen, St. Johns tennis - Report
May 16:
Ally Katinas, Novi lacrosse - Report
May 9:
Peter Roehl, Rochester Adams golf - Report
May 2:
Lilah Smith, Richland Gull Lake soccer - Report
April 25:
Mason Mayne, Lawton track & field - Report
April 18:
Alli Wright, Jenison softball - Report
April 11:
Chloe Wishart, Trenton soccer - Report
March 28:
Jenna Maki, Ishpeming basketball - Report
March 22:
Jaremiah Palmer, Niles Brandywine basketball - Report
March 15:
Leah Hodge, North Farmington gymnastics - Report
March 8:
Darius Marines, Detroit Catholic Central wrestling - Report
March 1:
Rylee Smith, Zeeland West bowling - Report
Feb. 22:
Caleb Lewandowski, Traverse City West skiing - Report
Feb. 15:
Jadin Mix, Onaway basketball - Report
Feb. 8:
Onalee Wallis, Cadillac skiing - Report
Feb. 1:
Abbey DeGraw, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek competitive cheer - Report
Jan. 25:
Ewan Todd, Riverview swimming - Report
Jan. 18:
Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11:
Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15:
Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8:
Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1:
Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24:
Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17:
Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10:
Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3:
Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27:
Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20:
Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13:
Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5:
Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29:
MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22:
Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15:
Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8:
Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1:
Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report