Caledonia, Hartland Earn Finals Return
June 14, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Welcome back, Caledonia and Sammie Gehrls.
Three seasons after finishing her freshman year at Secchia Stadium, the Fighting Scots’ ace once again has her team one more win from its first MHSAA softball championship.
Gehrls tossed a three-hitter and struck out nine to kick off the Division 1 Semifinals on Thursday, and also drove in the game’s lone run in Caledonia’s 1-0 victory over Warren Regina.
The Fighting Scots will face Hartland in Saturday’s 10 a.m. championship game, their second in four seasons. Gehrls as a freshman pitched the Scots to the Division 1 Final, where they fell that time to Regina 5-0.
“As a freshman I just had little experience, and to see how much it really takes to get here, you just begin to appreciate it that much more,” Gehrls said. “Every year we’d come with the intent to try to get back to this big stage. But at the same time, you know that every pitch matters. These last couple of years, we didn’t win those pitches. And so to come out and win these pitches and be able to get to this point is incredible.”
Caledonia (28-6) won the few that counted most Thursday, particularly during the third inning when sophomore shortstop Emmalee Hamp tripled and Gehrls drove her home with a ground out to second base.
Senior third baseman Melina Livingston singled to lead off the game for Regina and had two of her team’s three hits, but the Saddlelites (25-8) never advanced a runner past second base.
Regina junior Marisa Muglia similarly was stellar in the pitching circle, allowing only seven hits and walking one while striking out three. Junior Jadon Huyser had two of Caledonia’s hits during a fast-moving game dominated by the aces.
Gehrls, who will continue next season at Grand Valley State, moved to 21-2 pitching this spring. She also entered this week hitting .495 with 13 home runs.
“She didn’t hit the ball (today) like she can normally, but I told her think right field, and she got (the RBI) down that right side to get that run in and that was the difference in the game,” Caledonia coach Tom Kaechele said. “That’s what she does though. She does those little things to help our team win, and that’s all she really wants. She says, ‘You know what Coach, stats, awards, that type of thing, I don’t care about those. I want to win. I want to win for this team, I want to win for you and I want to win for our community.’
“And when you have that kind of player, it’s hard not to love her.”
VIDEO: Samantha Gehrls gets her ninth strikeout to end Caledonia's 1-0 Semifinal win.
Hartland 6, Howell 4
Hartland had swept Howell earlier this spring on the way to winning the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold title, while the Highlanders came in second.
They met again in Thursday’s second Division 1 Semifinal, and the Eagles held off a late charge to finish the season sweep and earn their first MHSAA championship game appearance since 1996. Howell was playing for its first appearance in a Final.
“What it means is it’s really hard to get to this point,” Hartland coach Bob Greene said. “This is a tough tournament to win, and we’ve been blessed so far and things are falling our way. We’ve got a great group of kids really riding the wave right now. Everything’s falling into place at the right time.”
Howell opened with two runs in the top of the first inning. Hartland took the lead with four in the fourth and added two more in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Highlanders (29-11) gave Hartland one final scare, scoring a run in the top of the seventh and putting two more runners on before Hartland freshman pitcher Rachel Everett got a flyout to end the game.
Junior catcher Brooke Cowan was 3 for 3 with a double and two RBI, and senior second baseman Bri Robeson was 2 for 4 with a double and drove in a run for the Eagles (33-5).
Sophomore Maddie Heilner was 2 for 4 and scored twice for Howell, and junior AJ Militello was 2 for 4 with a double and RBI. Freshman first baseman Avery Wolverton was 2 for 3 and drove in three runs for the Highlanders.
VIDEO: Brooke Cowan had three hits and two RBI for Hartland including this sixth-inning double.
PHOTOS: (Top) Caledonia's Sammie Gehrls prepares to unload a pitch during Thursday's first Division 1 Semifinal. (Middle) Hartland's Delaney Robeson heads to second base during her team's Semifinal win.
Preview: Pair of Reigning Champions Return, 14 More Seeking to End Season Celebrating
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 10, 2026
Two reigning champions are returning to MHSAA Softball Finals weekend beginning Thursday at Michigan State's Secchia Stadium.
Grass Lake in Division 3 and Mendon in Division 4 are seeking to extend their reigns. But 14 more teams are making the trip to East Lansing, some for the first time, and finding themselves just two more wins from reaching the top as well.
This weekend's schedule is as follows:
Division 1 – Thursday
Macomb Dakota vs. Grand Haven, 10 a.m.
Walled Lake Northern vs. Northville, 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Armada, 3 p.m.
Ogemaw Heights vs. Farmington Hills Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Evart vs. Grass Lake, 10 a.m.
Ravenna vs. New Lothrop, 12:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Hilman vs. Mendon, 3 p.m.
Brown City vs. Fowler, 5:30 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 10 a.m.
Division 2 – 12:30 p.m.
Division 3 – 3 p.m.
Division 4 – 5:30 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.
Below is a glance at all eight teams taking the field Thursday, with Division 3 and 4 teams to be added that morning (with statistics through Regional Finals):
Division 1
GRAND HAVEN
Record/rank: 33-7-1, No. 6
Coach: John Hall, 10th season (222-125-3)
League finish: Tied for second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Bella Korf, sr. C/IF (.444, 50 R, 16 2B, 10 HR, 41 RBI); Lorelei Chciuk, sr. P/IF (.371, 35 RBI, 18-5 pitching, 0.93 ERA, 340 K/157 1/3 IP); Bri Borgman, sr. IF/P (.487, 40 R, 14 2B, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 14-2 pitching, 2.23 ERA, 136 K/88 IP); MaKenna VandenBrink, jr. OF (.400, 36 R, 20 SB).
Outlook: A group of eight seniors – including seven who start – have brought Grand Haven to the Semifinals for the first time, and memorably with wins over top-ranked Hudsonville in the Regional Final (after the Eagles won two of their three games during the regular season) and No. 5 Traverse City Central in the Quarterfinal. A Regional Semifinal win over Rockford also avenged a late loss. Chciuk and Borgman made the all-state first team last season and are catalysts to the effort, but several more are making big contributions including sophomore Ryley Jeltema (.360) and senior Natalie Waite (.293, 32 R, 16 SB).
MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 31-12, unranked
Coach: Shelby Weeks, third season (83-32)
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2017, runner-up 2016 and 2022.
Players to watch: Nadeline Tcruz, fr. OF (.416, 64 R, 14 2B, 35 SB); Maddie Kruk, jr. OF (.423, 44 R, 14 2B, 35 RBI): Kiley Phelan, sr. IF (.524, 38 RBI); Nola Mae Tcruz, jr. IF (.423, 34 R, 30 RBI, 21 SB).
Outlook: Dakota finished second in the MAC Red to No. 2 New Baltimore Anchor Bay but defeated the Tars in their District Final and continued on to their first Semifinals since that 2022 runner-up season. Phelan made the all-state first team last spring and tops a team list that has 10 hitters batting .333 or better. Brooke Cahill (10-5, 2.56 ERA) and Alivia Reardon (13-3, 3.12) have shared the majority of pitching duties, and senior Chloe Dunn (.395, 43 RBI) and freshman Ella Goike (.383, 40 R, 43 RBI, 36 SB) are also among the biggest contributors offensively.
NORTHVILLE
Record/rank: 35-4-1, No. 4
Coach: Scott DeBoer, ninth season (235-110-6)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Jocelyn Burns, soph. C (.450, 46 RBI); Kennedi Adams, jr. CF (.411, 32 R, 10 2B, 23 SB); Mary Gugala, sr. P (.321, 27-2 pitching, 1.04 ERA, 285 K/180 2/3 IP); Kendall Heron, sr. SS (.407, 12 SB).
Outlook: Northville’s first Regional title since 2012 has turned into its first trip to the Semifinals, as the Mustangs got past No. 9 Salem in their District Semifinal and Saline in their Regional championship game while allowing a total of four runs over five postseason contests. The Salem and Saline wins avenged regular-season losses, and the other two came against No. 2 Anchor Bay and No. 8 Grand Blanc with the tie against No. 6 Grand Haven. A total of 10 hitters are batting .300 or higher, with senior Alyssa Spencer (.353), freshman Mia Petrovski (.343) and junior Olivia Smith (.329) next highest on the list.
WALLED LAKE NORTHERN
Record/rank: 37-3, No. 7
Coach: Kristen Woodard, 15th season (376-150-4)
League finish: First in Lakes Valley Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Makenna Kresbaugh, jr. CF (.433, 49 R, 65 RBI); Lyla Turmell, sr. P (.561, 54 R, 11 HR, 52 RBI, 26-2 pitching, 0.95 ERA, 228 K/155 1/3 IP); Shaela Byrnes, jr. 2B (.477, 35 R, 34 RBI); Aubrey Kresbaugh, soph. SS (.436, 49 R).
Outlook: Northern has seemed on the cusp of making this first trip to the Semifinals, winning Regional titles as well last spring, in 2022 and 2017. Turmell made the all-state first team last season, and Makenna Kresbaugh and Byrnes earned honorable mentions. They with junior catcher Anna Doyle (.327, 33 R) give the team a talented group up the middle. Junior Olivia Frellick (.324, 34 RBI) and freshman Alex Dziak (.329) also bolster the lineup. Northern’s postseason run has included a pair of wins over honorable mentions Livonia Stevenson and league rival White Lake Lakeland.
Division 2
ARMADA
Record/rank: 35-8, honorable mention
Coach: Rob Girvin, fourth season (97-54)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1979
Players to watch: Helena Fettue, jr. SS (.427, 37 R, 19 SB); Grace Girvin, soph. 1B/P/C (.384, 50 R, 34 RBI, 19 SB, 10-2 pitching, 2.08 ERA); Lilyana Piconke, soph. OF (.447, 59 R, 56 RBI, 31 SB); Megan Cox, fr. P/1B (.362, 31 RBI, 15-2 pitching, 1.60 ERA, 174 K/109 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Armada is making its first trip back to the Semifinals since 2010 after opening the tournament with a win over league rival and reigning champ Richmond, adding victories over honorable mentions St. Clair and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s along the way, and then also downing No. 6 Frankenmuth in their Quarterfinal. Cox, Grace Girvin and Taylor Capozzo (9-4, 3.25 ERA) have split starts in the circle, and Capozzo also bats fourth and entered the week hitting .377 with 36 runs scored and 56 driven in. Sophomore Justine Lint (.336, 31 RBI) also has been a top run producer.
FARMINGTON HILLS MERCY
Record/rank: 20-17, unranked
Co-coaches: Alec Lesko & Sara McGavin, fifth seasons (146-39)
League finish: Fifth in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2016, runner-up 2002.
Players to watch: Taylor Selimi, jr. 3B (.404, 36 R, 35 RBI); Sophia Chaput, sr. CF (.509, 48 R, 31 SB); Maeve Weiss, fr. C (.323, 30 RBI); Anna McGavin, jr. P/OF (.286, 30 R, 17-10 pitching, 2.53 ERA, 277 K/170 1/3 IP).
Outlook: After eight seasons away, Lesko and McGavin returned to lead the program again this school year have brought Mercy to the Division 2 Semifinals after years playing among the elite in Division 1. The Marlins made the Division 1 Semifinals most recently in 2024 and 2021, and advanced to this weekend with a Quarterfinal win over No. 5 Carleton Airport, and have made this surge with only two senior starters but seven underclassmen on the roster.
OGEMAW HEIGHTS
Record/rank: 28-9, unranked
Coach: Ryan Nicholson, first season (28-9)
League finish: Second in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Class B runner-up 1982.
Players to watch: Kylee England, soph. P (.481, 16 2B, 38 RBI, 18-8 pitching); Aubrey Evans, jr. SS (.500, 54 R, 14 HR, 72 RBI); Averie Weiler, soph. 2B (.422, 39 R, 30 RBI); Addison Wenkel, fr. CF (.453, 62 R, 44 SB).
Outlook: Nicholson took over the program this year after five as an assistant coach and has brought Ogemaw Heights to the Semifinals for the first time since 1982 (and with its first Regional title since 1994). The Falcons have scored double-digit runs in 18 games, and all nine starters were hitting at least .328 entering the week. Sophomore Mackenzie Benjamin (.387, 44 R, 40 RBI) and junior Laila Ireland (.383) are two more big bats on the 11-player roster that has only two seniors.
STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE
Record/rank: 34-4, No. 1
Coach: Denny Dock, 37th season (1,171-268-2)
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Lily Dustin, sr. 1B/P (.566, 28 2B, 58 RBI, 13-1 pitching, 2.32 ERA); Shaunna Roberts, fr. 3B (.504, 17 2B, 45 RBI); Adelle Prosser, fr. C (.468, 15 2B, 44 RBI); Ashley Ramirez, jr. P (17-3, 1.68 ERA, 191 K/125 IP, .324).
Outlook: The winningest coach in MHSAA softball history (at 1,359-361-2 and counting over a total of 47 seasons) is bringing his top-ranked team back to MSU for the first time since the 2022 championship season – and Lakeshore might be making a few more trips over the next few years. The Lancers start their lone senior, Dustin, and she bats fourth, but the three hitters in front of her are all freshmen and part of a group of five total on the roster. Sophomore Payten Strefling (.430, 45 RBI), freshman Madi Ettinger (.417) and junior Belle Forrester (.404) also are among the top hitters for a lineup that carries a .408 average.
PHOTO Grass Lake’s Leilah Smith (5) is introduced before the start of last season’s Division 3 Final at Secchia Stadium.