South Haven Building on Memorable Run
By
Pam Shebest
Special for MHSAA.com
April 23, 2019
SOUTH HAVEN — When A.J. Jeffries injured her shoulder during basketball season, she was devastated, afraid that she would be watching her teammates instead of playing this softball season.
But the South Haven junior catcher opted for physical therapy instead of surgery and, although she missed tryouts in March, she was ready to take her place behind the plate for the Rams after spring break.
Senior Olivia Ellis, who goes by “Gracie,” did miss the first day of tryouts, but not because of injury.
The reigning Miss Bangor competed in, and won, the Miss Blossomtime pageant, quite a different experience than suiting up for a softball game.
Instead of wearing spikes for tryouts on March 11, Ellis was wearing dress shoes and walking across a stage.
“Being an athlete, I had to buy heels and I did horrible (walking in them),” she said, laughing. “I never wore heels before, and they hurt my feet.
“I didn’t know how to do makeup. It was bad.”
Coach Wilma Wilson said she knew Ellis planned to compete in the pageant.
“I actually have Miss South Haven (junior Liz Johnson) on my team as well,” Wilson said. “It’s one of those things where the kids who are usually good at a lot of things, do a lot of things.
“You have to try to be flexible. It can hurt. We missed her at our tournament (a week ago), but I also know that is going to be a great experience as well in the whole scheme of life.”
Wilson looks at sports as well as preparation for life, and South Haven softball has been living well over the last 10 months.
The Rams are the reigning Division 2 runners-up, making last season’s MHSAA Finals championship game – their first since 1979 – after finishing just third in their league. South Haven is off to a 5-3 start this spring, with five starters returning from that run including Jeffries and Ellis – although the team lost its entire infield to graduation and almost lost its catcher for this season.
Jeffries, who has played on the varsity team all three years, injured her labrum in the Rams’ first basketball scrimmage in December. The original diagnosis called for surgery.
“I was on vacation in Hawaii and she called me, bawling her eyes out,” Wilson said.
“I could hardly understand what she was saying because she said ‘I’m not going to be able to play this year. I have to have surgery, and I’m not going to be good.”
Wilson recommended a second opinion, which suggested physical therapy. Jeffries opted for that and finally was cleared to play after spring break.
“During a team meeting, she said she will not let one minute be taken for granted because basically when you think the opportunity is going to be taken away from you, then you can appreciate the opportunity so much more,” Wilson said of Jeffries.
“AJ is that dirty, gritty, sparkplug catcher,” she added. “If you watch her play, it’s joyful because she plays the game hard, like it should be.”
Still, Jeffries was surprised at the team’s run last year.
“I had no idea we’d be in the state finals (for the first time since 1979),” she said. “It was just an unexpected thing, but we just played game by game and took everything that we learned from each game and applied it to the next.
“This year, I expect to play every game like it’s our last game for our seniors and for everybody that came up because I think we can do really good things this year.”
Ellis, who is headed to Manchester College in the fall to play softball, is one of those seniors.
“My advice to the girls coming up is give it your all because in two months or so, I’m going to be done with high school and softball,” said the second baseman, who played left field a year ago. “I know I’m going to regret not putting in as much effort as I could have.
“We actually lost five from last year and three of them were starters pretty much since freshman year, so we lost a lot. We’re all, especially the returners, itching to be just as good as we were last year.”
Wilson said Ellis has grown a lot over the last four years.
“She’s one of those quiet freshmen who came up and didn’t play a lot those first couple years and then this year, she’s been a great leader on our infield and is very vocal in a positive way but (by) also letting the kids know when they have to step it up a little bit,” she said.
Joining Jeffries and Ellis among returning starters are junior Torie Loikits – who earned all-state honorable mention last season – junior Holli Dannenberg and sophomore Jordyn Holland. Holland led off and played center field in last season’s championship game against Escanaba, and Dannenberg played right field. Holland also hit the eighth-inning home run that pushed South Haven past top-ranked Stevensville Lakeshore in last season’s Regional Final.
Other seniors on this year’s team are Grace Lyons, Paeton Hayes, Jules Stuckum, Macy Jenks and Courtney Kelly. Juniors also include Mallory Dorow and Opal Eddy, and sophomore Lexi Young is another contributor.
While Wilson is listed as the head coach, “there are really three of us who are co-coaches,” she said.
Dave Gumpert pitched professionally with the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals from 1982-87. Mike Sweet has “coached softball for a long time and has been a head coach in different sports,” Wilson said.
All three coaches played sports at the high school and all three are members of the South Haven High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
“I think the three of us each bring something different to the program, but it helps us be cohesive and look at the game from different angles,” said Wilson, who was on the Rams team that lost in the Class B Semifinals in 1982, her senior year.
“Between the three of us, we bring a ton of experience.”
Wilson not only coaches, but also drives the bus to away games, “which is really nice because we have that time together with no interruptions with another team or a boys team,” she said. “When we do our ‘remember whens’ at the end of the year, almost all of our memories come from our time on the little bus.”
As noted above, Wilson looks at sports as a preparation for life. And South Haven sees this spring as another chance to build on last season’s dream run and the lessons learned along the way.
“One of my perspectives is that you’re probably going to end up involved in your life the same way you are involved in sports,” she said.
“You’re going to have to learn to get along with people, you’re going to have to learn to have some self-judgment, you’re going to have to make adjustments, you’re going to have to try to improve on things that you don’t do well in.”
Pam Shebest served as a sportswriter at the Kalamazoo Gazette from 1985-2009 after 11 years part-time with the Gazette while teaching French and English at White Pigeon High School. She can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) South Haven catcher A.J. Jeffries fires the ball after a strikeout during last season’s Division 2 Final. (Middle) Gracie Ellis is crowned Miss Blossomtime last month. (Below) From left, South Haven coach Wilma Wilson, Ellis and Jeffries. (Middle photo by Don Campbell/St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.)
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.)