State Champs! Network: 2023 Softball Finals Highlights

July 19, 2023

Join Kara Liles as we take a look at all of the action from the 2023 Softball State Finals Congratulations to our State Champions :

Division 1 - Hartland
Division 2 - Gaylord
Division 3 - Standish-Sterling
Division 4 - Unionville-Sebewaing

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.