Performance: St Mary's Meghan Beaubien
June 22, 2017
Meghan Beaubien
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central senior – Softball
One of the most successful careers in MHSAA softball history came to a close Saturday with one last major feat extending an incredible list. Beaubien pitched St. Mary to a third straight Division 3 championship, striking out 16 and allowing two hits and just one walk in a 13-1 win over Napoleon to earn the final Michigan Army National Guard “Performance of the Week” for the 2016-17 school year.
Beaubien, also the team's lead-off hitter, was 3 for 3 from the plate as well, scoring three runs and driving in two. To get the Kestrels back to the title game, she shut out Shepherd 1-0 in Friday's Semifinal, striking out 15 without a walk while giving up two hits. Over 40 innings and three Finals weekends at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium – home of the championships the last three seasons – Beaubien gave up just one run and six hits, and that run was unearned. She also continued to surge in the championship game last weekend despite losing her all-state catcher, senior Kenna Garst, to an injury during the third inning against the Pirates.
Beaubien finished this season 23-1 with a 0.34 ERA and 341 strikeouts with only 11 walks, plus a .458 batting average. While her career numbers are being confirmed for record book purposes, unofficially she went 100-14 and struck out 1,445 batters over four seasons – those career strikeouts would rank eighth in MHSAA history. Beaubien also finished high school with a 4.7 grade-point average and will study and play softball at University of Michigan. She plans to major in biochemical engineering on the way to eventually becoming a doctor.
Coach John Morningstar said: “She’s the most durable, dominating, resilient, tough, strong – all the attributes that you look for in an athlete, she has them. And she doesn’t falter. Even in adversity she stands in there, and I think she actually kinda likes it.”
Performance Point: “Obviously, you don’t want to go down early,” Beaubien said of working out of a first-inning jam against Napoleon, when she stranded two runners with two strikeouts to end a potential rally. “We definitely wanted to prevent them from scoring. Being able to get those strikeouts and keep them from scoring kept us mentally in the game. … (The three championships) have all been different. This one was by the largest margin. It’s just as exciting as the others.’’
Switching up: “When (Garst) first got hurt and she stayed in, I was a little concerned. I kept throwing all my pitches. When she went out, our second catcher Brooke (Angerer) did a great job calling pitches and catching the ball. It didn’t affect me greatly because she did a great job.’’
Setting the standard: “Honestly, as a freshman I wasn’t even thinking state championship. I was just thinking league and Districts. I did not have my goals set that high. Sophomore year we thought ‘OK, we’re good enough. We could maybe do it.’ And we did it. Since then we have this standard, and this is our goal every year.’’
Leaving a legacy: “To come into the program and leave it with three straight championships … to know that we (she and senior Grace Mikesell) made a mark. … We’re leaving the program better than we found it. I think that means a lot to both of us.’’
Next level: “Four years of high school were great. The three state championships were great. But every good thing comes to an end. I’m ready for the next level and to go after some championships up there.’’
- Perry A. Farrell, Second Half correspondent;
Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2016-17 school year, Second Half and the Michigan Army National Guard recognized a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom or protect lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
Previous 2016-17 honorees:
June 15: Isabelle Scane, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood lacrosse – Read
June 8: Hunter Eichhorn, Carney-Nadeau golf – Read
June 1: Grace Stark, White Lake Lakeland track & field – Read
May 25: Brendon Gouin, Gaylord golf – Read
May 18: Hannah Ducolon, Bay City All Saints softball – Read
May 11: Mason Phillips, Salem track & field – Read
May 4: Lillian Albaugh, Farwell track & field – Read
April 27: Amber Gall, Shepherd track & field – Read
April 20: Sloane Teske, East Grand Rapids tennis – Read
March 30: Romeo Weems, New Haven basketball – Read
March 23: Jaycie Burger and Maddie Clark, Pittsford basketball – Read
March 16: Camden Murphy, Novi swimming & diving – Read
March 9: Ben Freeman, Walled Lake Central wrestling – Read
March 2: Joey Mangner, Chelsea swimming & diving – Read
Feb. 23: Isabelle Nguyen, Grosse Pointe North gymnastics – Read
Feb. 16: Dakota Hurbis, Saline swimming & diving – Read
Feb. 2: Foster Loyer, Clarkston basketball – Read
Jan. 26: Nick Jenkins, Detroit Catholic Central wrestling – Read
Jan. 19: Eileene Naniseni, Mancelona basketball – Read
Jan. 12: Rory Anderson, Calumet hockey – Read
Dec. 15: Demetri Martin, Big Rapids basketball – Read
Dec. 1: Rodney Hall, Detroit Cass Tech football – Read
Nov. 24: Ally Cummings, Novi volleyball – Read
Nov. 17: Chloe Idoni, Fenton volleyball – Read
Nov. 10: Adelyn Ackley, Hart cross country – Read
Nov. 3: Casey Kirkbride, Mattawan soccer – Read
Oct. 27: Colton Yesney, Negaunee cross country – Read
Oct. 20: Varun Shanker, Midland Dow tennis – Read
Oct. 13: Anne Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country – Read
Oct. 6: Shuaib Aljabaly, Coldwater cross country – Read
Sept. 29: Taylor Seaman, Brighton swimming & diving – Read
Sept. 22: Maggie Farrell, Battle Creek Lakeview cross country – Read
Sept. 15: Franki Strefling, Buchanan volleyball – Read
Sept. 8: Noah Jacobs, Corunna cross country – Read
PHOTO: (Top) Monroe St. Mary's Meghan Beaubien prepares to unload a pitch during Saturday's Division 3 Final. (Middle) Beaubien swings at a pitch against Napoleon; she was 3 for 3 from the plate.
Preview: Softball's End-of-Season Celebration Could Include 1st-Time Champs
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 14, 2023
The final weekend of this softball season could feature at least a few first-time championships celebrations.
Of 16 teams playing at Michigan State's Secchia Stadium this weekend, 10 are seeking their first Finals title and eight have never reached the championship game.
Of the remaining six teams, only two have won Finals this century.
Those two, however, are regulars Unionville-Sebewaing and Richmond, which both rank among the top 10 all-time in softball title game appearances.
Division 1 – Thursday
Grand Blanc vs. Brownstown Woodhaven, 3 p.m.
Hartland vs. Lake Orion, 5:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Vicksburg vs. Richmond, 10 a.m.
Gaylord vs. Dearborn Divine Child, 12:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Standish-Sterling vs. Ravenna, 3 p.m.
Laingsburg vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart vs. Unionville-Sebewaing, 10 a.m.
Johannesburg-Lewiston vs. Mendon, 12:30 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 – 10 a.m.
Division 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – 3 p.m.
Tickets cost $11 and may be purchased online only at GoFan. One ticket is good for all baseball, softball and girls soccer games at MSU’s Old College Field that day. All Semifinals and Finals will be broadcast and available with subscription from MHSAA.tv, with free audio broadcasts on the MHSAA Network.
Below is a glance at all 16 teams taking the field (with statistics through Regional Finals):
Division 1
BROWNSTOWN WOODHAVEN
Record/rank: 34-4, No. 10 (tied)
Coach: Ken Kroll, second season (69-10)
League finish: Tied for first in Downriver League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ella Thomas, sr. 2B (.431, 47 R, 13 2B, 30 RBI); Ariel Krueger, soph. SS (.467, 58 R, 18 2B, 36 RBI); Grace Usher, jr. P/OF (.409, 36 RBI, 17-3 pitching, 1.46 ERA, 155 K/124 1/3 IP); Grace Walker, jr. 3B (.548, 43 R, 10 2B, 36 RBI).
Outlook: After winning a District title last season – Kroll’s first leading the program – Woodhaven has taken an even more sizable step in advancing to its first Semifinal. Along the way, the Warriors defeated honorable mention Temperance Bedford and No. 9 Saline – and a regular-season split with No. 3 Allen Park was a good indicator this was possible. Seven regulars are hitting at least .400, with freshman Mia Taylor (.436, 41 R), senior Lindsay Marlewitz (.428, 34 RBI) and junior Brooke Taylor (.406, 34 R) also among top contributors. Sophomore Danielle Couture has split pitching with Usher and entered the week 14-1 with a 1.40 ERA.
GRAND BLANC
Record/rank: 35-4-1, No. 6
Coach: Jami Neubecker, seventh season (152-61-3)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Sydney Long, sr. P (20-1 pitching, 0.85 ERA, 272 K/131 2/3 IP, .474, 13 2B, 40 RBI); Carson Kuhlmann, sr. C (.466, 50 R, 12 2B, 36 RBI, 14 SB); Katelyn DeWitt, jr. 3B (.603, 60 R, 18 2B, 15 HR, 77 RBI); Kayla Blumenschein, fr. 2B (.420, 11 2B, 32 RBI).
Outlook: Grand Blanc has won four straight league and two consecutive District titles, with the Regional championship the program’s first since 2006. The Bobcats defeated honorable mention DeWitt and No. 7 Jenison on their way to MSU. Long made the all-state first team last season, and Kuhlmann earned honorable mention. They have plenty of help; notably, Katelyn DeWitt is set to reach the MHSAA record book for single-season doubles, homers and RBI, and juniors Audrey Kranz (.389, 36 R, 29 RBI) and Jaclyn Garvey (.378, 50 R, 17 SB) also bolster the top six in the lineup.
HARTLAND
Record/rank: 33-4-1, No. 5
Coach: Taylor Wagner, fifth season (115-24-2)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Class A champion 1996, Division 1 runner-up 2018.
Players to watch: Kate McIntyre, jr. 1B (.457, 37 R, 11 2B, 40 RBI); Sadie Malik, soph. C (.350); Kylie Swierkos, sr. P (.359, 13 2B, 20-1 pitching, 0.81 ERA, 241 K/155 2/3 IP); Abby Gardner, sr. OF (.342, 30 R, 11 2B).
Outlook: Hartland has won two District, three league and two Regional titles in four seasons under Wagner, not counting canceled 2020, and advanced this time thanks in part to a Regional Final win over No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy. The losses were pretty impressive too, including one each to top-ranked Dakota and Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord. All four of the team's seniors start, including also Faith DeLanoy at third base and Riley Phillips at second.
LAKE ORION
Record/rank: 33-6, honorable mention
Coach: Joe Woityra, 14th season (371-115-2)
League finish: Second in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final
Players to watch: Rylee Limberger, soph. P (.333, 20-4 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 156 K/131 1/3 IP); Sydney Bell, jr. 2B (.488, 49 R, 10 2B, 31 SB); Jada Lopez, soph. P (.465, 30 RBI, 9-2 pitching, 2.30 ERA); Anna Gardner, jr. 3B (.491, 41 R, 16 2B, 45 RBI).
Outlook: Lake Orion had previously won two Regional titles, but has followed its third with its first trip to the Semifinals. The Dragons scored double-digit runs their first three playoff games and then upset top-ranked Macomb Dakota 2-1 in the Regional Final before posting their third shutout of the tournament against Utica Ford. Senior Avery Case (.371) earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and the future is bright as there is only one senior starter anticipated this weekend. Sophomore Addy Dukus (.454, 11 2B) and juniors Ellie Britt (.448, 11 2B, 34 RBI), Maddie Eckert (.431, 42 R) and Alexis Hazen (.420) all are key contributors as well to a .418 team batting average.
Division 2
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/rank: 28-7, unranked
Coach: Regina Dunn, eighth season (128-84)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Class B champion 1975, Division 2 runner-up 1998.
Players to watch: Savina Olada, sr. 3B/OF; Avery Schellenberger, sr. SS; Alexis Hansen, soph. OF; Jessica Nelson, soph. P/3B/1B. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Divine Child was last at the Semifinals in 2018, and this time advanced with four double-digit shutout wins and then an 11-3 victory over honorable mention Trenton in the Quarterfinal. The Falcons finished second in the Catholic League Central only to Division 1 No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy, which it challenged well in three losses. Three more defeats came to Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord and two ranked Division 1 teams. Sophomore Katherine Modrzewjewski and senior Isabella DePaulis also are top contributors.
GAYLORD
Record/rank: 37-2, No. 1
Coach: Tony Vaden, first season (37-2)
League finish: First in Big North Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Alexis Kozlowski, sr. 3B/1B (.587, 60 R, 23 2B, 12 HR, 62 RBI, 23 SB); Aubrey Jones, soph. P/SS (.482, 54 R, 15 2B, 17 HR, 60 RBI, 10-1 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 83 K/58 2/3 IP); Jayden Jones, jr. P/SS (.429, 37 R, 34 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 0.29 ERA); Taylor Moeggenberg, jr. C (.517, 12 2B, 9 HR, 44 RBI).
Outlook: The majority of this team also brought Gaylord to the Semifinals in 2021 as freshmen and sophomores, and the Blue Devils have played many of the state’s best on the way back with losses only to Division 1 top-ranked Macomb Dakota and No. 5 Hartland. Of the team’s 37 wins, 24 have been shutouts; junior Avery Parker (11-0, 1.70 ERA) and senior Abby Radulski (6-0, 0.00) join the Jones sisters on a dominating staff. Kozlowski has signed with Ferris State, Jayden Jones has committed to Virginia Tech and Aubrey Jones has multiple major Division I offers already, and a number of teammates also are committed to college programs. Juniors Braleigh Miller (.445, 47 R, 24 SB), Parker (.439, 45 R, 14 2B, 30 RBI), Hali Lenartowicz (.426, 33 R) and Alexis Shepherd (.417, 55 R, 18 2B, 34 RBI – committed to Toledo) help fill out a lineup that’s been almost unstoppable. Kozlowski and Jayden Jones made the all-state first team last season, and Moeggenberg earned an honorable mention.
RICHMOND
Record/rank: 29-9, honorable mention
Coach: Howard Stuart, 45th season (1,128-329)
League finish: Third in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Liz Shuboy, jr. IF (.370, 39 RBI), Piper Clark, sr. IF/P (.600, 61 R, 15 2B, 53 RBI, 20 SB), Katie Shuboy, soph. P/IF (16-4 pitching, 1.60 ERA, 179 K/114 IP); Ashley Stafford, soph. C/IF (.480, 30 R, 45 RBI)
Outlook: Richmond has won three straight Regional titles and has returned to the Semifinals this time in Division 2 after missing in Division 3 a year ago. The Blue Devils advanced with a Quarterfinal win over No. 9 Frankenmuth after previous tournament victories over honorable mentions St. Clair and Detroit Country Day, and after they finished third in the powerful BWAC to Divison 3 No. 2 Algonac and No. 3 Almont. Clark, the lone senior, and Katie Shuboy made the all-state first team in Division 3 last season. Freshman Emma Bambrick (.356, 12 2B) is another promising hitter.
VICKSBURG
Record/rank: 40-3-1, No. 6
Coach: Paul Gephart, 10th season (296-94)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2016.
Players to watch: Brooklyn Ringler, jr. OF (.484, 75 R, 13 2B, 59 RBI); Peyton Smith, jr. 2B (.500, 58 R, 19 2B, 58 RBI); Maddison Diekman, jr. SS (.535, 81 R, 10 2B, 38 RBI, 28 SB); Delaney Monroe, jr. 3B (.474, 66 R, 12 2B, 16 HR, 76 RBI).
Outlook: The 2016 run started a collection of titles that have included three league, five District and now a second Regional championship over the last seven seasons. Pitcher Kennedy Davis is the only senior slated to start the Semifinal, and she entered the week 17-0 with a 2.58 ERA while splitting pitching duties with junior Audrie Dugan (18-2, 2.89). Ringler earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is joined in the lineup by additional .400 hitters sophomore Ella Luegge (.427, 61 R, 37 RBI, 27 SB) and freshman Kayla Chisholm (.420, 43 R, 43 RBI).
Division 3
LAINGSBURG
Record/rank: 36-6, No. 7
Coach: Jeff Cheadle, 18th season (406-217)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class D champion 1978.
Players to watch: Ashley Bila, jr. SS (.518, 74 R, 10 2B, 25 RBI, 42 SB); Haley Konieczny, sr. OF (.400, 49 R, 38 RBI); Addyson Buchin, soph. P (.390, 14 2B, 46 RBI, 34-5 pitching, 1.36 ERA, 248 K/206 1/3 IP); Savanna Stirm, fr. 1B (.434, 36 R, 42 RBI).
Outlook: Laingsburg’s Regional title was its first since 1978, and the Wolfpack had been on the verge entering this spring with seven District titles over the last 10 seasons before winning a third-straight earlier this month. Cheadle is approaching 900 wins total after previously coaching nearly two decades at Lansing Everett, and he has only two seniors on the roster but six freshmen including four who start. Bella Latuszek is among them, hitting .393, with 43 runs, 11 doubles and 53 RBI, and freshman Harper Strouse (.346, 37 R, 35 RBI) and junior Ella Merrell (.337, 40 R) provide pop at the bottom of the order.
OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record/rank: 36-4, honorable mention
Coach: Matt VanBrandt, fourth season (106-14)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1987), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Shaylin Alexander, jr. IF/C (.462, 49 R, 17 SB); Unity Nelson, jr. P/2B (.337, 32 RBI, 21-0 pitching, 0.43 ERA, 277 K/131 2/3 IP); Alyssa VanBrandt, sr. SS (.629, 60 R, 10 3B, 35 SB); Patrina Marsh, sr. OF (.394, 43 R, 10 2B, 31 RBI).
Outlook: Last season's Division 4 runner-up is back but in Division 3, returning all-state first teamers Nelson and Alyssa VanBrandt among six starters from last season's championship game hitting lineup. Juniors Kaydence Sheldon (.392, 38 RBI) and Karlei Conard (.337, 10 2B, 33 RBI) are two more, along with Alexander and Marsh, and Conard also entered the week 14-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 77 1/3 innings pitched. Whiteford advanced this time with a Quarterfinal win over No. 2 Algonac and also defeated honorable mention Clinton and No. 8 Grass Lake on the way to East Lansing.
RAVENNA
Record/rank: 36-5, honorable mention
Coach: Dave Sherman, seventh season
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference Rivers
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Emma Gillard, sr. P/SS (.619, 83 R, 12 2B, 10 3B, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 51 SB, 15-2 pitching, 1.41 ERA, 99 K/84 1/3 IP); Addison Gillard, soph. P/1B (.491, 46 R, 15 2B, 48 RBI, 23 SB, 14-3 pitching, 1.25 ERA, 110 K/83 2/3 IP); Emma Herremans, soph 3B (.657, 63 R, 21 2B, 8 3B, 70 RBI, 28 SB); Kara Postema, sr. C/CF (.491, 64 R, 10 2B, 54 RBI, 31 SB).
Outlook: Ravenna is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2005 driven by a lineup that’s put up incredible numbers this spring – the Bulldogs’ 485 runs rank fourth all-time, their 102 doubles entering the week were tied for seventh, their 393 RBI ranked third and their 244 stolen bases were fourth in MHSAA history. Ravenna put up a combined 20 runs over its last two wins against No. 4 Buchanan and No. 6 Grandville Calvin Christian. Freshmen Emily Postema (.434, 58 R, 33 SB) and Riley Homoly (.352, 40 R, 43 RBI, 21 SB) and junior Kendra Denhof (.413, 39 R, 38 RBI) also are major contributors. Herremans made the all-state first team last season.
STANDISH-STERLNG
Record/rank: 36-7, No. 10
Coach: Rich Sullivan, ninth season (188-129-1)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Lexi Mielke, sr. IF (.562, 70 R, 31 2B, 58 RBI, 24 SB); Keeley Peace, fr. IF (.434, 64 R, 12 2B, 49 SB); Macey Fegan, sr. OF (.454, 44 R, 19 2B, 60 RBI); Devri Jennings, sr. P (25-2 pitching, 1.49 ERA, 236 K/173 1/3 IP, 36 RBI)
Outlook: After reaching the Semifinals in 2019 for the first time, Standish-Sterling is making its third appearance in four seasons (not counting canceled 2020). The Panthers have navigated one of the toughest paths to MSU with playoff wins over top-ranked Evart, No. 5 Gladstone and honorable mentions Clare and Kingsley along the way. Fegan made the all-state first team last season, and Mielke earned honorable mention and entered the week ranked second on the record book single-season doubles list. They and Jennings are the only seniors; freshman Jaylynn Yenna (.365, 17 2B, 38 RBI) and sophomore Sami Kopasz (.394) are among other top contributors.
Division 4
JOHANNESBURG-LEWISTON
Record/rank: 30-3-1, honorable mention
Coach: Kim Marlatt, eighth season (130-51-1)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Gloria House, sr. CF (.426, 48 R, 22 SB); Jocelyn Tobias, sr. 3B (.469, 39 R, 32 RBI, 27 SB); Jayden Marlatt, jr. P (.663, 74 R, 18 2B, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 22 SB, 18-1 pitching, 1.40 ERA, 220 K/110 IP); Reagan Sides, jr. C (.516, 50 R, 21 2B, 47 RBI, 18 SB).
Outlook: Johannesburg-Lewiston will play its first Semifinal since 1981, continuing a run that’s included wins over honorable mention Indian River Inland Lakes and No. 5 Hillman. The Cardinals also are coming off a third-straight league title. Jayden Marlatt made the all-state first team last season and is one of four junior starters bolstering two seniors who also provide experience at the top of the lineup. Junior Cassie Tallman (.415, 36 R, 40 RBI, 25 SB) is another challenge for opponents at the plate and on the base paths, and sophomore Chloe Ferguson has thrown valuable innings in the circle as well with an 11-1 record and 2.16 ERA heading into this week.
MENDON
Record/rank: 34-5, No. 2
Co-coaches: Steve Butler & Mike Smith, sixth seasons (133-39)
League finish: First in Southwest 10 Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1992.
Players to watch: Lauren Schabes, sr. P/LF (.487, 58 R, 40 RBI, 27 SB, 15-1 pitching, 1.12 ERA, 177 K/99 2/3 IP); Mattea Bingaman, fr. CF (.433, 29 R, 35 RBI, 14 SB); Jadyn Samson, fr. SS (.434, 58 R, 31 RBI, 46 SB); Kaidee Gonser, soph. C (.406, 34 R, 12 2B, 52 RBI).
Outlook: This is another underclassmen-dominated team having championship-caliber success, as Mendon has just two seniors and no juniors but 11 sophomores and freshmen. Schabes earned an all-state honorable mention last season as the team won its second of now three-straight District titles. This playoff run has included wins over No. 7 Three Oaks River Valley and honorable mention Fowler, and the Hornets made a statement early with wins over No. 4 Holton, No. 5 Hillman and honorable mention Inland Lakes at Holton’s Tournament on April 15. Rowan Allen (.419, 49 R, 24 SB) is another talented hitter and entered the week 12-3 with a 1.64 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 85 innings in the circle.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 33-9, honorable mention
Coach: Josh Wheaton, sixth season (115-61)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ellery Garver, soph. SS (.620, 49 R, 15 2B, 62 RBI); Kallie Smith, soph. 1B (.462, 47 R, 13 2B, 40 RBI); Savannah Jones, fr. P/3B (.352, 37 RBI, 15-4 pitching, 2.65 ERA, 106 K/103 IP); Mairin Wheaton, fr. P/3B (.498, 43 R, 12 3B, 32 RBI, 16-4 pitching, 3.26 ERA, 185 K/126 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Sacred Heart is making a second-straight Semifinal appearance but also enjoying an underclassmen-driven surge with only two seniors and two juniors, and a pair of freshman pitchers helping to set the pace. Making that even more impressive is the Irish haven’t given up a run over five postseason games, including Tuesday’s Quarterfinal win over Lake Leelanau St. Mary. Garver earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is the leading hitter for a lineup with four regulars over .400 – Eliza Pieratt joins Garver, Wheaton and Smith at .405 with 10 doubles and 29 RBI heading into this week.
UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING
Record/rank: 31-10, No. 1
Coach: Marc Reinhardt, first season (31-10)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Gabriella Crumm, jr. C (.420, 45 R, 10 2B, 30 RBI); Olivia Jubar, sr. 1B (.486, 55 R, 10 2B, 40 RBI); Rylie Betson, jr. P/3B (.427, 50 R, 13 2B, 34 RBI); Jenna Gremel, jr. LF (.396, 43 R, 32 RBI).
Outlook: With a fourth-straight championship, USA would tie the Harper Woods Regina teams of 2004-07 for second on the consecutive titles list. Seven starters are back from last season’s championship game, with Jubar and Crumm all-state first teamers last year and Gremel earning an honorable mention. USA has mostly cruised through the postseason with four wins by a combined score of 34-6, but saw its share of strong competition this spring with seven losses to teams showing in the final Division 1, 2 or 3 rankings. Sophomore Natalie DeGroat (.411, 32 R, 34 RBI), senior Hanna Wood (.400, 32 R, 32 RBI) and junior Ella Neumann (.380, 47 R, 10 2B) are among others putting up big numbers.
PHOTO Vicksburg’s Peyton Smith connects with a pitch during her team’s 6-3 District Semifinal win over Otsego. (Photo by Gary Shook.)