Sacred Heart Standout Goes National
July 30, 2012
Sara Hansen put together one of the best softball seasons in MHSAA history this spring.
And here's the most incredible part -- she's still got two more high school seasons to play.
Yes, the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart shortstop was only a sophomore in leading her team to the Division 4 Semifinals at Bailey Park. Along the way, she had at least one hit in every game this season, set two MHSAA records and tied a national record.
Hansen hit .633 with 39 RBI and 33 stolen bases in the lead-off spot for the Irish, who made their deepest tournament run since 1994. She'll carry a 56-game hitting streak -- dating back to May of her freshman year -- into next season when it begins in March.
We caught up with Hansen last week while the National Federation of State High School Associations was putting the finishing touches on her national record book entries. Click to read our Q&A.
Also, click for the mention of her accomplishments from the National Federation of State High School Associations.
PHOTO: Sacred Heart's Anna Hansen was 3 for 5 with two runs scored in the Irish's 7-3 nine-inning Semifinal loss to Petersburg-Summerfield on June 15. (Click to see more photos at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)
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.