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.

Great Clip of the Week: Gull Lake Softball

May 20, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

This edition of “Clip of the Week” sponsored by Great Clips and produced by State Champs! Sports Network features a homer by Richland Gull Lake's Savanna Disbrow against Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.