Holton Stops Record Scoring Attack, USA Earns Record-Setting Opportunity
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
June 14, 2024
EAST LANSING – Hillman scored more runs this season than any team in state history, averaging more than 13 per game.
But the machine never got cranked up on the big stage of Secchia Stadium on Friday, due in large part to the combination of crafty Holton junior pitcher Kenzie Greene and terrific defense behind her.
Then senior slugger Ryann Robins did the rest.
Robins lined a two-run single in the second inning before putting the game away with a monstrous three-run shot over the rightfield wall to power Holton to an 8-0 victory in Friday’s Division 4 Semifinal – and earn the Red Devils a spot in the Softball Finals for the first time.
“This team has worked so hard and really improved and here we are, in the state championship game,” said 10th-year Holton coach Kirk Younts, who has guided the Red Devils to the Semifinals four times. “Our defense was great today, but I’m telling you, at the beginning of the year it was terrible. We have really improved, and it’s great to be playing our best right now.”
Holton (29-12-1) will play in its first softball championship game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against perennial softball powerhouse and No. 1-ranked Unionville-Sebewaing (30-11), which has won nine championships, including the last four in Division 4.
If the Patriots win Saturday, they will tie Kalamazoo Christian (which won titles from 1996 to 2000) for the state record with five consecutive softball championships.
Speaking of history, Hillman broke the all-time state record for runs scored in a season this spring with 561, an average of 13.4 runs per game heading into this weekend – which made it even more impressive that Greene and the Red Devils held the Tigers to just four singles and zero runs.
Greene, a junior and one of three pitchers Holton uses on a regular basis, kept Hillman off balance with plenty of spin on her pitches.
“I didn’t know anything about their lineup and all of their records,” said Greene. “We played harder competition this season, and that got us ready for this.”
Green benefitted from outstanding defense behind her. She had only two strikeouts, so the Tigers were putting the ball in play, but the Red Devils were executing in the field – finishing with just one error.
Shortstop Abbie Fowler made a nifty stop and throw to first in the third inning, the outfield trio of Chloe McKee, Aubrey Goyings and Emma Monette was nearly flawless, and third baseman Monica Mullins ended the game with a diving grab in front of Hillman’s dugout.
Holton scored all the runs it would need in the first inning on RBI singles from Sydney McCormick and Monette, then Robins did the rest.
Robins, a senior who started as a freshman the last time Holton made it to the Semifinals in 2021, knocked in the final five runs. Her towering home run in the sixth inning, which capped the win, was her 20th of the season and 50th of her career.
“I am so happy, not for me, but for my school and my town,” said Robins. “We’ve never made it this far before, but if we are able to shock the world tomorrow and win it all, wow, I get goosebumps just thinking about that.”
Holton, ranked No. 5 in the state, finished with 10 hits. Lexi Bartolameolli, Robins, McCormick and McKee all had two.
Hillman pitcher Gretchen Weiland went the distance, allowing 10 hits and five walks, while striking out nine. Autumn Kazyaka went 2-for-3 and was the only Tiger with multiple hits.
Hillman coach Jason Weiland, whose team was ranked No. 7 coming in and finished 41-3, said his players tightened up on the big stage.
“Playing in this atmosphere, if you’re not used to it, can take you out of your game,” said Weiland. “Take nothing away from Holton, they have a great team, but our kids were really tight from the start.”
Unionville-Sebewaing 6, Mendon 5
For the second-straight year, Mendon pushed USA right until the final out before coming up one run short.
In a rematch of last season’s Division 4 championship game, Mendon trailed 6-4 entering the bottom of the seventh inning and appeared to be done when the first two batters were retired. But after two walks, sophomore Cienna Nightingale ripped a solid base hit to score a run.
After USA second-year coach Marc Reinhardt and fourth-year starting catcher Gabby Crumm had a conference with Olivia Green on the mound, she calmly struck out the next batter to put the Patriots back in the championship game.
“I just simplified everything, because all we needed was to get one more out,” said Crumb, who will play at Saginaw Valley State next year. “Softball is like 90 percent mental. I knew Olivia would come through, and she did.”
USA (30-11) scored three runs in the third inning on hits from Ella Neumann and Crumb, and scratched out single runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings to get the win.
Leadoff hitter Rylie Betson and Crumm each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Green went all seven innings, allowing 10 hits with three walks and 11 strikeouts.
“I have a heart attack every 30 seconds in games like this,” joked Reinhardt. “We were able to pull it out because our nucleus of seniors have been here before and they know how to win here. Now, hopefully, they can go out like they are supposed to and get one more.”
Mendon, which was ranked third and finished 38-5, had more hits (10-7), but hurt itself with four errors – and also left nine runners on base.
The Hornets, who lost to USA 5-4 in last year’s championship game, were led by Jadyn Samson, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs; and Nightingale, who was 3-for-4 with one RBI.
Sophomore Rowan Allen pitched all seven innings, allowing seven hits with no walks with five strikeouts.
Mike Smith, the co-head coach of the Hornets along with Steve Butler, emphasized how proud the coaches are of the team, which reached the Semifinals again without a single senior on the roster. However, he said his program has had plenty of moral victories at this point.
“Close is great, but close isn’t what our goal is,” said Smith. “USA is a great program, but I’m sick of running into them and losing. Maybe next year we’ll figure out how to beat them.”
PHOTOS (Top) Holton’s Aubrey Goyings (4) celebrates as teammate Chloe McKee pulls in a ball during their team’s Semifinal win Friday. (Middle) USA’s Olivia Green fires a pitch during her team’s victory at Secchia Stadium.
Preview: USA Seeking to Add to Record Run, Several More Hoping to Start Title Streaks
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 11, 2025
Unionville-Sebewaing will return to Michigan State’s Secchia Stadium this weekend with yet another chance to make history, this time by potentially setting the record for most consecutive MHSAA Finals championships on the softball diamond.
And we’re also guaranteed to have a team beginning a title streak Saturday for the first time.
While USA in Division 4 plays to conclude this season with a sixth-straight Finals victory – the Patriots currently are tied with Kalamazoo Christian 1996-2000 with a record five consecutive championships – all four Division 3 contenders are playing for what would be the first Finals titles in their program histories.
Similarly, Hudsonville in Division 1 also is back seeking a repeat, and half the Division 2 field is seeking a first title as well.
This weekend’s schedule is as follows:
Division 1 – Thursday
Utica Ford vs. South Lyon – 3 p.m.
Hudsonville vs. Saline – 5:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Carleton Airport vs. Paw Paw – 10 a.m.
Escanaba vs. Richmond – 12:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Grass Lake vs. Algonac – 3 p.m.
Clare vs. Ravenna – 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary vs. Unionville-Sebewaing – 10 a.m.
Mendon vs. Hillman – 12:30 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 – 10 a.m.
Division 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – 3 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 16 teams taking the field (with statistics through Regional Finals):
Division 1
HUDSONVILLE
Record/rank: 34-3, No. 3
Coach: Tom Vruggink, 44th season (1,232-292)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2024)
Players to watch: Ava Gardner, sr. OF (.589, 70 R, 18 2B, 53 RBI); Tessa Heffelbower, jr. SS (.541, 60 R, 21 2B, 10 HR, 58 RBI); Kamryn Stankus, fr. OF (.518, 48 R, 17 2B, 55 RBI, 19 SB).
Outlook: Hudsonville has had quite a two-year run, building on last season’s undefeated title run by running its winning streak to 48 through April 23 of this spring, which gave the program the third-longest in MHSAA softball history. Gardner and Heffelbower were two of the team’s five all-state first-team selections a year ago, and they’ve anchored the lineup with Stankus, sophomore Lauren Luchies (.415, 37 R, 36 RBI) and four others hitting at least .375 bolstering output. Sophomores Paige Visser (14-0, 2.76 ERA) and Sophia VanKempen (11-1, 3.21) have thrown the most of four pitchers with wins this spring, and Visser also is among those leading hitters at .386.
SALINE
Record/rank: 37-3-2, No. 2
Coach: Rebecca Suiter, second season (69-10-3)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Sydney Hastings, sr. C/SS (.563, 61 R, 21 2B, 12 HR, 62 RBI, 38 SB); Reese Rupert, jr. OF/C (.441, 54 R, 16 2B, 39 RBI, 16 SB); Abigail Curtis, jr. P (18-0, 0.74 ERA, 219 K/104 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Saline is making its first trip the Semifinals, its only losses this season to No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy, No. 8 Allen Park and Division 2 No. 9 Carleton Airport and with two of those coming during the team’s first six games. The Hornets made their historic jump with a Quarterfinal win over No. 9 Brownstown Woodhaven. Hastings made the all-state first team last season as a catcher and is one of only four seniors on the roster. Another, Ashley Malinczak, is among the team’s top-hitting regulars at .408 with 44 runs scored, and four more starters and a top sub hit at least .370. Curtis has thrown nearly half the team’s innings, but with support from juniors Zosia Mazur (10-0, 1.22 ERA) and Jessica Phelps (6-1, 2.14) among others.
SOUTH LYON
Record/rank: 31-7, unranked
Coach: Jerry Shippe, first season (31-7)
League finish: Tied for second in Lakes Valley Conference
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2021.
Players to watch: Izzy Nooe, sr. SS (.400, 35 R, 24 SB); Havanna Bissett, jr. P (.467, 18-4 pitching, 3.09 ERA, 139 K/130 IP); Isabella Bracali, soph. 2B (.480, 40 R, 27 SB).
Outlook: South Lyon graduated all-state pitcher Ava Bradshaw last spring but will return to East Lansing for the second-straight season emerging from a league that included No. 6 Walled Lake Northern and honorable mention White Lake Lakeland and after downing No. 7 Northville in the Regional Final and Northern in the Quarterfinal. Seven starters are back from last season’s Semifinal lineup, senior left fielder Avery Bourlier (.396, 36 R, 18 SB) among them, and freshman first baseman/center fielder Rylee Miller (.402, 44 R, 25 SB) leads off a lineup filled with several other strong hitters.
UTICA FORD
Record/rank: 30-10-1, unranked
Coach: Matthew Joseph, 15th season (322-178)
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Grace Polega, sr. SS (.369, 37 R, 39 RBI); Brooke Williams, sr. OF (.410, 34 R, 24 2B, 37 RBI); Jenna Walters, 5-7 sr. P (.387, 33 R, 25 RBI, 13 SB, 24-4 pitching, 1.57 ERA, 217 K/183 IP).
Outlook: Ford is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2014 and riding a streak of three straight shutouts. A run of 15 wins over the Falcons’ last 17 games also included victories over Hudsonville and Division 1 honorable mention Macomb Dakota. Five players have scored at least 32 runs this season, and five have driven in at least 32. Senior catcher Sam Norrito is among other big hitters averaging .358 with 32 runs scored, 32 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Williams’ 24 doubles heading into this week qualify for the MHSAA record book.
Division 2
CARLETON AIRPORT
Record/rank: 33-8, No. 9
Coach: Jessica Irwin, ninth season (160-97)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final
Players to watch: Olivia Tilley, jr. 2B (.500, 58 R, 12 2B, 32 SB); Brenna Baker, jr. IF (.472, 63 R, 19 2B, 32 RBI, 20 SB); Brooklyn Martin, fr. P/1B/3B (.462, 37 R, 16 2B, 51 RBI, 18-3 pitching, 2.39 ERA, 117 K/126 IP).
Outlook: Airport has won two straight Regional titles and upped its win total three straight seasons as it makes its first trip to the Semifinals since 2015. The Jets closed the regular season with a win over Division 1 No. 8 Allen Park and downed Division 2 No. 4 Dearborn Divine Child in the Quarterfinal to advance to this weekend. Tilley made the all-state first team last season and is one of five Airport players with double-digit doubles this spring. Another is junior catcher Peyton Zajac, who brought a .360 average into this week. Junior Alayna McDaniel (12-5, 3.26 ERA, 79 K/101 IP) has split the pitching almost evenly with Martin and is expected to get the Semifinal start.
ESCANABA
Record/rank: 38-4, No. 1
Coach: Andy Fields, fifth season (153-33-1)
League finish: First in Great Northern Conference
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2019 and 2018, Division 1 runner-up 2003.
Players to watch: Grayson LaMarche, sr. P; Katey Lamb, sr. 3B. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: A 10-0 win over No. 3 Gaylord in the Regional Final ended the Blue Devils’ two-year reign in Division 2, and Escanaba went on to defeat No. 2 Hudsonville Unity Christian 3-0 in eight innings in their Quarterfinal. Escanaba had been eliminated by Gaylord the last two seasons after most recently making the Semifinals in 2022. LaMarche and Lamb both made the all-state first team last season.
PAW PAW
Record/rank: 36-3, honorable mention
Coach: Mike Mottl, third season (74-35)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Elizabeth Vanderburg, soph. SS (.496, 62 R, 11 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBI); Cami VanderMeeden, jr. 3B (.482, 55 R, 16 2B, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 14 SB); Aaliyah Edson, soph. C/1B (.462, 41 R, 21 2B, 43 RBI).
Outlook: Paw Paw is making its first trip to the Semifinals thanks to wins over honorable mentions Wayland and Coldwater over the last two rounds – and with a roster of all juniors and sophomores. The Red Wolves have jumped 16 wins from last season and have five regulars hitting at least .434; Bella Clemons (.435, 43 R, 17 SB) and Stella Shaefer (.434, 51 R, 18 SB) join the three mentioned above. Clemons (13-3, 2.79 ERA, 79 K/82 2/3 IP) and Lauren MacKellar (13-0, 0.69 ERA, 114 K/81 2/3 IP) have handled most of the pitching, with MacKellar expected to make the Semifinal start.
RICHMOND
Record/rank: 30-7, No. 7
Coach: Howard Stuart, 47th season (1,181-344)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Ashley Stafford, sr. C/IF (.420, 10 2B, 32 RBI); Katie Shuboy, sr. P/IF (.348, 19-1 pitching, 0.28 ERA, 250 K/125 IP); Audrina Nader, jr. OF (.352, 25 R).
Outlook: Richmond returned all-state first-teamers Shuboy and Stafford from a year ago and is back at the Semifinals for the second time in three seasons. Stuart ranks sixth on the MHSAA softball coaching wins list, with this the Blue Devils’ 12th Semifinals trip under his leadership. Freshman infielder Kendall Nader has moved into the leadoff spot and created a spark, hitting .414, and four more regulars are hitting at least .350 led by junior Emma Bambrick at .365. Senior Lilly Peitz also has seen a significant share of the pitching with a 10-4 record, 2.88 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 90 innings pitched.
Division 3
ALGONAC
Record/rank: 24-14-1, unranked
Coach: Natalie Heim, third season (84-31-1)
League finish: Second in BWAC
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Jaycee Reams, sr. P/UTY (.424, 33 R, 12 2B, 33 RBI, 13 SB, 17-8 pitching, 3.50 ERA, 187 K/154 IP); Michael Kenel, jr. 2B/SS (.403, 10 SB); Morgan Reams, jr. 1B/P (.368, 25 RBI, 7-6 pitching, 74 K/89 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Algonac is coming off its third Regional title over the last four seasons and made the Semifinals most recently in 2023, and have returned quickly despite graduating all-state pitcher Kenna Bommarito a year ago. The Muskrats advanced with an 8-6 Quarterfinal win over No. 7 Millington, and they’re on a 10-1 run with a loss to Richmond the only defeat during that time. There are contributors throughout the lineup, with seven players having scored between 22-33 runs entering this week. Junior catcher Ava Murray is second on the team driving them in with 27 RBI to go with a .333 average.
CLARE
Record/rank: 38-2, No. 1
Coach: Shane Kelly, fourth season (124-31-2)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Madison Jones, sr. P (.487, 22 2B, 51 RBI, 17-2 pitching, 2.03 ERA, 114 K in 93 1/3 IP); Tessa Kelly, sr. IF (.499, 53 R, 14 2B, 65 RBI, 10 SB); Alissa Brandon, sr. IF (.473, 66 R, 19 2B, 47 RBI, 14 SB).
Outlook: Clare is making its first trip to the Semifinals since 1986, with a 1-0 Quarterfinal win over No. 2 Gladstone further cementing the Pioneers’ status as favorites. Clare also defeated honorable mention Standish-Sterling during this playoff run and has 24 wins shortened by run differential this spring. Jones made the all-state first team and Kelly earned honorable mention a year ago. Junior pitcher Kyley Wyman (20-0, 1.03 ERA, 230 K/115 2/3) will take a perfect record into the circle to start the Semifinal, and Addison McMillan is also well over .400 at the plate as well, hitting .447 with 62 runs scored, 13 doubles, 38 RBI and 25 steals. The team is hitting a combined .422, which would tie for 20th-highest for a single season in MHSAA history.
GRASS LAKE
Record/rank: 38-4, No. 6
Coach: Roger Cook, 24th season (588-220)
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Emily Brown, sr. CF (.629, 92 R, 14 2B, 54 RBI, 23 SB); Makenzie Hilberer, soph. SS (.573, 49 R, 47 RBI, 23 SB, 9-2 pitching, 2.77 ERA); Morgan Conrad, jr. P (.479, 26-0, 1.21 ERA, 143 K/132 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Grass Lake won its third Regional title and this time has advanced to its first Semifinals, getting past No. 5 Laingsburg and honorable mentions Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central and Brooklyn Columbia Central over the last two weeks. Grass Lake’s offense is potent once again with a team batting average of .456, and its 93 doubles entering this week are tied for 23rd most for one season in MHSAA history. Three more starters are hitting at least .400 – senior Bree Salts (.535, 22 2B, 10 HR, 89 RBI) and juniors Leilah Smith (.500 (59 R, 14 2B, 48 RBI) and Addalyn Hensen (.406, 48 R, 15 SB). Salts’ RBI rank 10th for one season on the all-time record list.
RAVENNA
Record/rank: 34-4, No. 4
Coach: Dave Sherman, ninth season (208-80)
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference Rivers
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Emma Herremans, sr. 3B (.552, 50 R, 12 2B, 58 RBI, 10 SB); Emily Postema, jr. C (.517, 62 R, 13 2B, 57 RBI, 28 SB); Addison Gillard, sr. P/1B (.425, 10 2B, 38 RBI, 18-3 pitching, 1.72 ERA, 143 K/102 IP).
Outlook: Ravenna is making its second trip to the Semifinals in three seasons and after also reaching the Quarterfinals a year ago. Herremans made the all-state first team last season and is all over the MHSAA record book already, and Gillard earned all-state honorable mention in 2024 and is part of a dominating pair in the circle with Natalie Rosel (15-1, 1.21 ERA, 179 K/98 IP). Ravenna is hitting .430 as a team, with sophomores Reese Herremans (.466, 58 R, 14 2B, 53 RBI, 30 SB), Rosel (.453, 51 R, 30 SB) and Sydney Morrissey (.413, 30 R) also above .400.
Division 4
HILLMAN
Record/rank: 32-7, No. 7
Coach: Jason Weiland, second season (72-11)
League finish: First in North Star League
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1996.
Players to watch: Aubrey Weiland, soph. SS/P (.432, 59 R, 16 2B, 9-6 pitching, 3.01 ERA, 78 K/67 1/3 IP); Madelyn Oswald, soph. C (.534, 33 R, 11 SB); Gretchen Weiland, jr. P (.523, 57 R, 17 2B, 56 RBI, 22-1 pitching, 0.86 ERA, 223 K/120 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Jason Weiland will be bringing his team back to the Semifinals for the second time in his two seasons and after Aubrey and Gretchen Weiland and Oswald made the all-state first team last season. Six starters total are back from last year’s Semifinals lineup, with senior outfielder Hannah Crane (.435, 63 R, 15 SB) and senior third baseman Autumn Lis (.438, 36 R, 59 RBI) also among the team’s leading hitters and sophomore second baseman Rylee Lis newer to the lineup (.487, 36 R, 12 2B, 32 RBI) and also nearing .500 for the season. Hillman has won 10 of its last 11 games, with a 5-3 District Final victory over Johannesburg-Lewiston avenging a regular-season sweep by the honorable mention Cardinals.
MENDON
Record/rank: 33-2, No. 3
Co-coaches: Steve Butler & Mike Smith, eighth seasons (205-48)
League finish: First in Southern Central Athletic Association
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2023, Class D runner-up 1992.
Players to watch: Cienna Nightingale, jr. 1B/C (.567, 39 R, 18 2B, 45 RBI), Rowan Allen, jr. P/LF (.543, 49 R, 14 2B, 49 RBI, 21 SB, 13-2 pitching, 1.75 ERA, 157 K/87 2/3 IP); Jadyn Samson, jr. SS (.408, 56 R, 14 2B, 50 RBI).
Outlook: After two straight close calls against Unionville-Sebewaing – one-run losses in last year’s Semifinal and the 2023 championship game – Mendon may be on the verge of emerging with its first title. All nine hitting starters plus the designated player from last season’s 6-5 defeat are back this weekend. Nightingale, Allen and Samson all made the all-state first team last season, and senior second baseman/pitcher Ally Butler (.458, 45 R, 11 2B, 40 RBI, 14-0 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 91/K/65 IP) earned honorable mention. Junior Gracie Schultz (.519, 10 SB) and seniors Kaidee Gonser (.457, 40 RBI) and Elise Allen (.451, 36 R, 40 RBI) also are among top hitters as the team averages a combined .458.
SAGINAW MICHIGAN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
Record/rank: 32-10, unranked
Coach: Seth LaBair, 10th season (141-156)
League finish: Tied for second in Tri-Valley Conference Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Kerin Gardner, fr. 3B/P/SS (.496, 73 R, 37 RBI, 42 SB, 9-3 pitching, 3.42 ERA, 95 K/69 2/3 IP); Charli Alcorn, fr. SS/C (.447, 46 R, 13 2B, 51 RBI, 13 SB); Ally Coffey, sr. P/SS (.597, 44 R, 20 2B, 60 RBI, 19-7 pitching, 1.76 ERA, 250 K/147 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Despite some middling years from an overall record standpoint, MLS has won District titles five of nine seasons under LaBair and jumped from 20-21 a year ago to its first trip to the Semifinals. The Cardinals defeated No. 10 Fowler in the Regional Final and No. 5 Holton in the Quarterfinal to earn this opportunity – and total have won 16 of their last 18 games. They have done so with six senior starters in the hitting lineup but also a pair of freshmen playing major roles. Senior Addison Whitmer is another top contributor hitting .347 with 30 runs scored entering this week.
UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING
Record/rank: 19-15, No. 1
Coach: Marc Reinhardt, third season (83-36)
League finish: Third in Big Thumb Conference White
Championship history: 10 MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Erin Jubar, jr. 3B (.423, 40 R, 13 2B, 10 SB); Kate Beagle, jr. 2B (.379, 39 R, 11 2B, 14 SB), Olivia Green, jr. P (.368, 12 2B, 48 RBI, 12-3 pitching, 1.44 ERA, 191 K/117 IP).
Outlook: As noted above, USA is seeking to add the outright record for longest championship streak to records already for numbers of Finals appearances (13) and championships (10). The Patriots are in pursuit with just four seniors total and two in the anticipated Semifinals lineup, and coming off a run that not only saw a win over No. 8 Plymouth Christian Academy in the Quarterfinal but regular-season games against several top teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 including Division 2 No. 3 Gaylord and Division 3 No. 2 Gladstone. Senior Natalie Degroat (.360, 13 2B) and junior Macy Prime (.350 (26 RBI) are two more key offensive contributors.
PHOTO Richmond pitcher Katie Shuboy winds up during her team's Quarterfinal win over Goodrich. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)