Hannah Leppek was at her best when she needed to be.
She got the pitching job done for Bay City Western in a 4-2 state championship victory over Portage Central in Division 1 . Leppek allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts. She allowed a solo home run by Portage Central center fielder Lee Foerster.
“My drop ball was probably working the best today,” she said. “The home run came off a rise ball.”
An early 2-0 lead for Western gave Leppek the confidence she needed.
“When we got those two runs, I felt pretty confident and relaxed from there,” she said.
With a 4-1 lead, Leppek had to get through a tense seventh inning in which two runners got on and one scored for the Mustangs. Coach Rick Garlinghouse came out to talk to his pitcher and infielder.
“He reminded us the runs on the bases don’t mean anything,” Leppek said. “We need outs and to relax.”
Leppek had a hit in the title game.
In Thursday’s 2-1 semifinal victory 2-1 over Romeo, she had two hits and one RBI and scored a run. In the circle, she allowed one run on four hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.
Leppek was ready for the Bay City Western sweep. The softball team won its title first, and a few hours later, the Western baseball team followed suit.
“We’re going to watch the boys and cheer them on first,” she grinned. “I have no words, I feel great. I’m on top of the world, especially after last year. It would have been disappointing if we were not state champions.”
Western had hoped to make it a two-title celebration in 2013 but the softball team lost 2-1 to Mattawan.
This year, the Warriors doubled their pleasure.
“It’s awesome,” Leppek said. “We can support each other, and we’ve always had strong teams. To go all the way with them means a lot.”
“She’s had to overcome her injuries and ended up with a college scholarship,” said Garlinghouse. “Phenomenal player. I like that look on her face when she walks back to the mound and goes walking up to the rubber. I’m going to miss that.”
Winning the title along with the boys “is awesome,” Leppek said. “This year we connected as a team. I want to celebrate with them.”