Softball state tournament preview
By Butch Harmon
The softball state tournament gets underway the final week of May with district play. The regionals take place the first weekend of June, with the state finals the following week. High School Sports Scene takes a look at the upcoming marquee district and regional tournaments:
DIVISION 1 DISTRICTS
@ HERITAGE: Host Bay City Western begins its bid to repeat as state champion. It is ranked honorable mention in Division 1. Blair Miller and Jacinda Rezler have been pacing the offense, along with Kelsie Popp. Midland, another honorable-mention team in the state, will pose a serious hurdle for Western. Midland showed just how talented it is when it dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 1-ranked Portage Central. Maya Kipfmiller has developed into one of the premier pitchers in the area for Midland.
@SWARTZ CREEK: Kearsley has been a solid, consistent team the last few years, and this year’s squad is no different. Led by Kaitlin Dormire and Chloe Jankowski, the Hornets are capable of a deep postseason run.
@HOLT: Holt has a talented team ranked among the honorable mention in Division 1. It features strong pitching, led by the duo of Bri Chapman and Devyn DeMello. Holt also has an offense that can put plenty of runs on the board. Chapman is among Holt’s top hitters this spring, along with Lindsay Reed, Olivia Cottum, and Mackinley Lane.
@OKEMOS: With talented teams from St. Johns, Okemos, and East Lansing in the field, this district should be one of the most competitive. St. Johns is the team to beat, with strong pitching from Kayleigh Smith. It also has a strong cast of hitters that is led by Jamie Carroll and Adriann Simison. East Lansing features a strong hitting team. Kaitlyn Johnson, Emma Booth, and Andrea Petrowitz pace the Trojan offense, while Petrowitz is the ace of the pitching staff. Okemos is led by junior catcher Kate Buckland. One of the top juniors in the area, she is hitting over .500 this season.
@LAKE ORION: Clarkston and Lake Orion are two of the premier softball teams in the state, and only one can make it out of this power-packed district. Clarkston is ranked fifth in the state, while Lake Orion is ranked seventh. Both teams have some of the top individual talent and hitting standouts in the state.
@HARTLAND: Another power-laden district, host Hartland is ranked among the honorable-mention in the state. Lakeland is the team to beat, as it comes in ranked eighth.
DIVISION 2 DISTRICTS
@BIG RAPIDS: Mt. Pleasant comes into the tournament ranked among the honorable-mention in Division 2. Megan Kramer gives the Oilers strong pitching, while Hannah Carson leads a balanced hitting attack. Chippewa Hills will present the biggest hurdle for Mt. Pleasant. Chippewa Hills has a young and talented squad, led by shortstop Rachel Lobert, who is hitting over .400. Sophomore catcher Elle LaLande is another big hitter who is hitting over .400 this spring.
@BULLOCK CREEK: Bullock Creek is ranked third in the state in Division 2 and is capable of a deep tournament run. The Lancers have a potent lineup, with a number of standout hitters including seniors Shelby Bailey, Ellie Juengel, and Bina Farrell and sophomore standout Rylie Kalina. Bailey also heads up the pitching. Swan Valley will be among the top contenders at the district. It has a young, talented team that is ranked among the honorable-mention in Division 2. Senior Paige Churchfield has been leading the way on offense.
@ALMA: Ionia County rivals Portland and Ionia will be battling it out for the title at the Alma district. Portland features solid pitching, led by Abby Grys and Shelby Battley. The Raiders also have a strong offense, paced by Olivia Roe and Grys. Ionia boasts a potent offense, also. Bre Miller, Sam Challender, and Cosby Franks lead the Ionia attack, while Keegan Kelley is a standout pitcher for the Bulldogs.
@FOWLERVILLE: Corunna will be one of several teams capable of coming away with the district title. Skyle Rivett has been hitting over .500 this spring and is a base-stealing threat. Meg Moser is another strong hitter for Corunna. Host Fowlerville has a productive offensive squad, paced by Hannah Powell and Sarah Matlock. Haslett, led by Keelin McManus, is another team capable of claiming a district title. Owosso is another team to watch at the district, with its potent offense that is led by Katelyn Jones and Sarah Vreibel.
@WESTERN: This district will come down to Eaton Rapids and Lakewood. Eaton Rapids features the pitching of Shelby Steele, with Olivia O’Connor and Elly Wythe pacing an offense that has been productive this season. Lakewood has two strong pitchers in Maranda Barton and Kennedy Geiger. Emily Barker and Kate Senneker lead the Viking offense.
DIVISION 3
@LAINGSBURG: Led by standout pitcher Sara Hurst, Laingsburg will be tough to beat at the district it hosts. Michele Hannah and Katie Epperd lead the Wolfpack offense. Bath has a solid offense and is led at the plate by Taryn Peru.
@LESLIE: Lansing Catholic is led by one of the premier offensive talents in the area in Eliese Hornberger. Hornberger can strike in a variety of ways and is hitting over .600 this season. She has speed and power and is a steady run producer. Claire Phifer is another big bat who has been hitting around .500 this spring.
@BROWN CITY: Reese is ranked in the top ten in the state, and the Rockets are primed for a long tournament run. Mackenzie Coulter gives the Rockets a strong pitcher, while Kaylee Roles, Carlee Selle, and Coulter lead a strong hitting squad. Look for Millington to provide Reese with its biggest challenge at the district.
@SHEPHERD: Ithaca is loaded both in the circle and at the plate. In junior Kylee Chaffin and freshman Kayla Belles, the Yellowjackets have a devastating one-two pitching punch. Ithaca also can score runs in bunches, led by Brooklyn Dolloff, Mackenzie Thompson, Karrigan Akin, and Chaffin.
@CLARE: It’s been a memorable season at Farwell, where sisters Kate and Grace Saupe helped lead the team to its first Jack Pine Conference title since 1978. Farwell looks to continue the success in the postseason, where Clare will post a tough challenge.
DIVISION 4
@BRECKENRIDGE: Coleman captured the Mid States Athletic Conference title this season and is eager to make a deep postseason run. Laken Berthume provides strong pitching, while the team has a balanced offense led by Chelsea Gordon. Sacred Heart Academy will challenge Coleman for the district title. Jordan Fox and Hayden Terwilliger lead the way for Sacred Heart.
@NEW LOTHROP: Morrice, led by one of the most productive players in the state, will be the team to beat at New Lothrop. Averi Munro is enjoying a huge season, as she is hitting over .700 with close to 60 RBI and 40 stolen bases. Jadyn Wood is another Morrice hitter who is sizzling on offense, with a batting average over .500 and close to 40 RBI.
@PORTLAND ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC: Fowler and Fulton will battle it out for the district title. Sydney Feldpausch is the ace of the Fowler pitching staff, while Taylor Schmitt has been hitting over .500 this season. Fulton has enjoyed a big spring behind the pitching of Connor Proctor. Proctor is also part of a potent offense, along with Kirstin Maniez and Kendra Hungerford.