Swan Valley was in position to take the state title in softball in Division 2, but it couldn’t overcome the Tecumseh Indians. The Indians posted a 5-1 victory in the title game on June 15 and ended their season at 33-5-3.
Swan Valley’s season ended as runner-up at 31-10.
Tecumseh scored one run in the third, one in the fifth, and three more in the seventh to put the clinches on. It had 12 hits compared to three for Swan Valley. Both teams had three errors. Reegan Flattery singled and scored on a throwing error for the Vikings’ only run in the bottom of the seventh.
Emily Maves went seven innings for Tecumseh and allowed just three hits and one walk while fanning nine batters. Courtney Reinhold went seven innings and allowed five runs on 12 hits, striking out four and walking two.
“The better team won,” said Swan Valley coach Tom Kennelly. “I thought Courtney pitched pretty well. We had a couple of defensive lapses. It’s almost like she had to be so perfect. I thought we relaxed hitting-wise the final two innings. By that time, it was over. They had a very nice team.
“[Maves] is a good pitcher, probably as good as anyone we’ve faced this year. She had a riseball too.”
Kelli Halvin, Paige Churchfield, and Reegan Flattery had one hit apiece for Swan Valley.
In the semifinal game June 14, Swan Valley prevailed 5-2 over a solid Linden squad. Swan Valley scored two runs in the first and three in the third while outhitting Linden 6-4 to take the victory.
Reinhold took the win, going seven innings and allowing two runs and three walks while striking out 10.
Reinhold had an RBI double in the first inning and Churchfield added an RBI single, while Halvin scored on a wild pitch. Bailey Gosen scored on a passed ball, and Morgan Stadler doubled home another run in the third for Swan Valley.