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: Regina Walks Off as Division 1 Champ
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 14, 2020
When Adriana James finishes her Warren Regina softball career in two years, there’s a chance her most tense at bat will have come on the final day of her freshman season.
That afternoon, the last of last spring, saw the freshman James bring home the winning run in Regina’s extra-inning 3-2 Division 1 championship game win over Howell at Secchia Stadium.
Teammate Marisa Muglia opened the bottom of the eighth inning by reaching base on an error. She then moved all the way to third on a sacrifice – and Howell countered by walking the next two batters to set up force plays at every base.
Up stepped James. She’d walked and scored in her first plate appearance, then struck out twice. But this time she swatted the first pitch she saw between the pitcher’s circle and second base. The ball deflected off the pitcher’s glove, giving the runners enough time to advance safely and Muglia plenty to cross the plate with the game winner.
“All (the pitcher’s) balls were moving outside. I just saw the ball right on the inside corner, low, and I just went for it,” James said that day. “We had nothing to lose, and it paid off. I was surprised they walked the two batters because it has really never happened. I was really nervous.’’
Check out coverage of the Final from Second Half, and watch the clinching run score below from the NFHS Network.