Leaders Guide D3 Contenders Thru Semis
June 17, 2016
By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half
EAST LANSING — The last thing Marissa VanDenBerg wanted to talk about was her game-winning triple.
She wanted to give credit to Grandville Calvin Christian teammate Kennedy Stevens, the No. 9 hitter whose game-tying single made VanDenBerg’s heroics possible.
She also didn't mind talking about the two big defensive plays she made to snare foul balls from her shortstop position, one of which was responsible for the bandage wrapped around her left forearm.
"I'm just used to getting injured," VanDenBerg said. "It's OK. It's fine. It happens."
What hasn't happened for the Squires since 1994 is a trip to an MHSAA softball championship game, a drought that ended with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Millington on Friday in the Division 3 Semifinals at Michigan State University. Calvin Christian (33-10) will face reigning champion Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central for the title at 3 p.m. Saturday at MSU's Secchia Stadium.
St. Mary (27-5) beat Gladstone, 13-0, in five innings in the other Semifinal.
Down 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, unranked Calvin Christian scored three runs to hand fifth-ranked Millington (42-2) only its second loss of the season and end the Cardinals' 31-game winning streak. Stevens tied it with a two-out single to right, and VanDenBerg broke the deadlock with a two-run triple to center field.
Stevens, the No. 9 hitter, has the lowest average among the Squires' starters at .293. But with Millington pitcher Taylor Wright about to strand runners in scoring position for the third straight inning, Stevens lined a single to right field to bring home Kendall Bouma with the tying run.
"To be honest, I haven't had a hit that big in a long time," Stevens said. "It means a lot. I didn't really know where I hit it until after I came back to the dugout and people told me. With how powerful their crowd was, there was a lot of noise going on and distraction. You really have to focus. It's hard at times."
VanDenBerg, the only senior who played for the Squires on Friday, stepped up and crushed a pitch to center field. The Cardinals’ center fielder took one step in before running back to chase the fly ball, which just eluded her outstretched glove short of the warning track. Jaycie Bos, who walked, and Stevens scored to put Calvin Christian ahead, 4-2.
"I give all the credit to Kennedy Stevens, I really do," VanDenBerg said. "I love it when she hits the right side. She starts it off for us. Down in the order, they're awesome. They're the ones who get us going. Our top really didn't do well today. Kennedy's great. I'm so proud of her. I give all the credit to her."
A lot of credit also was directed back at VanDenBerg, not only for her game-winning triple, not only for her two great plays to catch foul balls, but for the leadership she provides an extremely young team. Calvin Christian had seven sophomores, two juniors and a senior in its 10-player lineup (including designated player) on Friday against a freshman-laden Millington team.
"She's so positive and energetic and always seems to know what to say at the right time," Calvin Christian coach Mike Gruppen said. "Then she comes up with big plays. She leads in all ways with her verbal leadership and her leadership on the field. It's unbelievable."
Stevens is one of the sophomores who have benefitted from VanDenBerg's guidance throughout an up-and-down season in which the Squires lost 10 games. Stevens said that VanDenBerg's poise was particularly important as the Squires went deep into the game, still trailing by a run.
"It was hard to pick us back up," Stevens said. "You always have those doubts going through your head. You have a whole team cheering you on and backing you up, especially our shortstop. Marissa VanDenBerg helped a lot, picking us up and bringing us together. She brought us up when we were down. That helped a lot, having a leader like that on our team. She's always talking to us, always cheering us on."
Scoring any runs against Millington was going to be a difficult chore, considering the Cardinals came into the game with eight straight shutouts, outscoring six postseason opponents by a combined 59-0 margin.
That shutout streak ended quickly, as Calvin Christian took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. VanDenBerg led off by reaching base on an error, scoring on a bases-loaded single by Kim Moelker. There could have been more damage in the inning, but Kaleigh Whitcomb was thrown out at the plate for the second out while trying to score on the play.
Millington responded in the top of the second inning, as Sydney Bishop led off with a single and scored when the ball was thrown around following an infield single by Kayli Leix.
A dropped infield popup opened the door for Millington to take a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Taylor Rueger reached on the error, was bunted to second by Taylor Wright and scored on a two-out single to center field by Leix.
Wright escaped a huge jam in the fifth inning. With runners on second and third and one out, she struck out the next two batters to keep Millington ahead by one.
The Cardinals couldn't continue to hold off the Squires, however.
Wright got a strikeout to begin the sixth before Bouma singled and Bos walked. Wright got another strikeout to move within one out of getting out of trouble again before Stevens and VanDenBerg came through with their big hits.
Calvin Christian's rally denied Millington its first appearance in an MHSAA championship game in any sport. The Cardinals made the 1993 Class B volleyball Semifinals, losing to Marysville. Their football team reached the Semifinals in 1994, 1999, 2009 and 2010. The softball team never won a Regional title before this season, getting to the Semifinals despite having five freshmen among nine starters and eight freshmen on a 12-player roster.
"We definitely have girls coming up through our program now," seventh-year Millington coach Greg Hudie said. "We built a love for softball in Millington in the last couple years. We have kids coming back and more kids coming up. The future is very bright."
One of the few losses for the Cardinals will be a key one. Wright, one of only two seniors on the team, had 12 strikeouts Friday. The loss was her first after 22 victories. Millington's only previous loss came against Division 1 10th-ranked 1 Canton in a game in which Wright didn't pitch.
"She's been a role model for a lot of great young pitchers coming up," Hudie said. "We've got some really great pitching coming up. We've got a great freshman pitcher who was our third baseman today (Gabbie Sherman). We've got some lower-level pitchers who absolutely adore Taylor. She made them want to work harder. The wins she's picked up, she means a lot to us. She'll be hard to replace, for sure, but she started all this."
Calvin Christian will play in its fifth MHSAA championship game. The Squires won Class C titles in 1988 and 1993.
Monroe St. Mary 13, Gladstone 0
Meghan Beaubien can admit it now.
"I wouldn't tell anybody, but last year I was pretty nervous," she said. "In both games, I guess. This year, I'm super comfortable. You always have butterflies in your stomach, but I wasn't as nervous as last year."
Beaubien did just fine at MSU last year, allowing only two hits and striking out 30 to lead Monroe St. Mary to victories in the Semifinals and championship game.
The University of Michigan commit, who is still only a junior, took it to another level against Gladstone in a matchup of the last two Division 3 champions.
Beaubien struck out 13 of the 15 batters she faced, pitching a five-inning perfect game. Gladstone didn't hit a ball out of the infield.
"She's the real deal," Gladstone coach Ashley Hughes said. "We were talking about her before this game. Obviously, we knew she was going to be tough. They have a really great team. They're hitters. They're fundamentally sound. The better team won today."
St. Mary pounded out 19 hits, with 12 players getting at least one. Kenna Garst was 3 for 4 with three RBI, while Brooke Angerer was 3 for 3 with two RBI and three runs.
The Kestrels scored four times in the first inning, then broke open a 7-0 game with six more in the fifth.
"This could be our best overall hitting performance," St. Mary coach John Morningstar said. "People know with (Beaubien), three runs is the kiss of death. If you give up three runs, there's no chance of coming back."
Beaubien has 381 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings this spring. She has a 22-1 record and a 0.23 ERA.
PHOTOS: (Top) Calvin Christian players, including Sarah Elderkin (7) celebrate Friday’s Division 3 Semifinal win. (Middle) A Monroe St. Mary’s runner tries to beat out a Gladstone fielder pursuing with the ball.
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.)