One Week, Multiple Milestones
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 23, 2012
Sunglasses on whether it’s sunny or not, fastballs blazing and drop-balls dipping, Decatur senior Erika Southworth is an intimidating foe for those who dare step into the batters box.
But that’s just her on-field persona. When games are done, she talks with opposing players and has become friends with many.
And last week, she couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed under her trademark shades.
On Thursday, Southworth won the 100th game of her career, at home against Gobles. On Saturday, at Climax-Scotts, Southworth recorded her 1,000th strikeout.
“None of my teammates knew until practice the day before. I think it motivated them more,” Southworth said of the 100th win. “At the end of that game, they came over and gave me a hug, and they said, ‘That win was for you. We worked hard for you.’ I got a little emotional.
“Both were a big deal to me. … But the wins mean more, I guess. Striking out a lot of people doesn’t matter if you didn’t win any games. I guess it means I had a pretty good career.”
A three-time all-state selection likely heading for her fourth, Southworth – a Second Half High 5 recipient this week – was going to be remembered regardless of those career milestones. But both cement her name in the MHSAA record book – she’s the 26th pitcher to win 100 games and 34th to strike out 1,000 batters, according to those lists.
This season, she’s 24-3 with a 0.83 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 157 innings pitched – with only eight walks. She’s also leading No. 7-ranked Decatur with a .448 batting average and 34 RBI.
Her career so far has included a Division 4 championship game appearance as a freshman (a 4-0 loss to Unionville-Sebewaing) and two more trips to Quarterfinals. It’s included the increase of pitching distance from 40 to 43 feet, a major adjustment for some that she used to become a better pitcher.
“In the early part of her career, she pitched kind of like a machine. I called the pitch and location, and she would just throw the pitch to the location,” Decatur coach Matt McLouth said. “After the mound went back to 43 feet, the pitches that she would strike out opposing hitters from 40 feet weren’t always striking out hitters from 43 feet. She really learned the art of getting hitters out. She learned that getting her opponent to hit a weak ground ball was just as good as getting a strikeout."
Southworth will take a “refined” repertoire with her this fall to the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The drop-ball is her favorite pitch. But McLouth said her change-up also has improved significantly over the last few seasons, and she’s added a rise ball to match.
The Wolves also will get a sports lifer who understands the value of dedication. Southworth has been part of Decatur’s softball program since joining as a team manager in sixth grade. She spent the first decade of her life running around the wrestling mat at the practices of her father Brian Southworth, who has won 567 matches over 28 seasons as Decatur’s coach in that sport, and also coaches the girls track and field team.
But before Erika leaves town and starts a degree in business, there's some to finish with the Raiders.
Decatur’s 2011 season ended with an 11-0 loss to Breckenridge. The team was relatively young and learned a lot that day about playing in pressure situations. Southworth is ready to pop on the sunglasses and lead her teammates on one more run – and earn a first championship to go with those other milestone numbers.
She’s learned, both on the diamond and the mat, what it will take to make that happen.
“I learned you have to work hard for what you earn. It’s not just given to you,” Southworth said. “Never give up. If you want something, you have to go and get it.”
Click to read more about Southworth's future plans and family ties.
PHOTO: Decatur's Krista Southworth prepares to fire a pitch during last season's Division 4 Quarterfinal against Breckenridge. (Photo couresty of High School Sports Scene.)
Traverse City Central's Battery Charged as Talented Trojans Take On Title Pursuits
By
Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com
May 1, 2026
Not yet.
Traverse City Central seniors Anna Tabaczka, Anika Peterson, Rachel Poortenga, Grace Cary and Piper Cavanaugh are well aware the Trojans have never finished first in the history of the Big North Conference.
They’re also aware a Regional softball trophy is not in the school’s illustrious trophy case.
But perhaps the strong senior leadership group is mostly aware Central just hasn’t won those crowns yet, with the emphasis on “yet.” The Trojans are focused on winning one game at a time with their eyes on those elusive prizes.
“It’s definitely one game at a time because I know there's a lot of good teams out there and it takes run support, and it takes clean defense,” said second-year Trojans head coach Julie Tiesworth. “Our District is not a cakewalk. So we can't cross any bridges too soon. Winning the conference has never been done – it's a goal – but I'd say making a postseason run is our biggest goal.”
It’s been a near-perfect season for Central so far. In fact, it’s pretty much been a dream season.
Since ace pitcher Cavanaugh transferred from cross-town rival Traverse City West and started wearing the black and gold, she hasn’t lost a game. And Cavanaugh has thrown two perfect games and another no-hitter while picking up strings of innings of no walks and multiple strikeouts.
Cavanaugh, who committed to Oregon, is 11-0 on the season. She has given up just 10 hits and five runs, allowed only one base on balls and fanned 114 in just 50 innings of work. The Trojans’ firepower, meanwhile, shortened most of those games to mercy-rule wins.
This week, the Trojans moved closer to a Big North Conference title with 15-0 and 17-1 victories over Cadillac. Sophomore Julia Brady, who broke the Trojans’ home run record as a freshman last year, led the way belting two home runs in three at bats in both games. Cavanaugh went 5-for-5 at the plate with a double, triple and a home run, and Grace Cary, the team’s catcher heading to play softball next year for Ohio State, was 4-for-5 across the twin bill, also adding a triple and home run.
Cary emphasized the Trojans’ commitment to taking one game at a time as they could inch closer to a conference title Tuesday at Sault Ste. Marie.
“It’s one goal at a time, but it'd be nice to go past Regionals, at least one game, because we've never won Regional Finals,” said Cary. “The BNC would also be nice to have, but I feel like a main goal for us as a team is to win Regionals.”
Regardless of how the season turns out, Cary and Cavanaugh will treasure the moments playing together – something they started doing as 9-year-olds. The incredible pitcher/catcher battery played extensive travel ball together and also apart with different programs.
“The funny thing, too, is Grace started out as a pitcher and Piper started out as a catcher,” pointed out Tiesworth, who fondly recalls watching their early development. “Then they found their strengths. As Piper switched over to pitcher, they started to climb with different travel organizations and getting broader exposure. Growing up together, playing against each other, playing with each other, and then to be reunited for their senior year is special.”
Cavanaugh played at TC West as a freshman and focused on travel ball her sophomore and junior years. Cary played all four years for the Trojans.
“Grace has been here kind of grinding for four years, and she's been in the spotlight for four years,” Tiesworth said. “She's a spicy, fiery, speedy, aggressive bass runner. Grace and Piper have very different personalities, but they add so much together. You can't have a pitcher of that caliber if you don't have a catcher of that caliber – even to warm up Piper for a game.”
Cavanaugh is thrilled to be pitching to her long-time battery mate again.
“I love it,” Cavanaugh said. “I think being able to play this last year with her is just a great way to end our high school years. We’ve gone full circle, now finishing off our senior season together before we all go off to college.”
Cavanaugh, who has been called the best pitcher in the state by opposing coaches, is dominating the high school level after stepping away the last two years. She was immediately eligible to play softball this spring for Central because she did not play the sport at West last season.
“No one has seen Piper pitch in the state of Michigan since she was a freshman,” Tiesworth noted. “And for me, it was just so fun to see her, as a senior now, come back around. Of all the kids I've coached, she's one of the most modest, humble, hardworking, best teammate … this kiddo is the total package.”
Cary noted that the Trojans are putting up plenty of run support and defense behind their pitchers as well.
The Trojans have scored 215 runs over their 19 games so far. Cary is leading the team in batting, hitting almost .600. Cavanaugh at .550 is right behind her.
Brady has eight home runs and is batting near .500. Peterson is next at .457, and the other senior leaders, Tabaczka and Poortenga are hitting above .300.
“We have super strong leadership from these senior athletes,” Tiesworth said. “We’re definitely led by it, and we have four sophomores on the roster that want to follow suit and play college softball.”
The Trojans are 17-2, with the losses coming on doubleheader days when Cavanaugh pitched just one of the two games.
One of the defeats was to West. Cavanaugh tossed a perfect game in the opening 3-0 win, and the second game was called in the seventh inning because lightning as West led 11-9 at the Trojan Athletic Complex.
The Trojans are looking forward to a possible rematch with the Titans in a District pairing. The District will be hosted by West and also includes Alpena and Marquette.
Tom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Traverse City Central pitcher Piper Cavanaugh, left, and catcher Grace Cary pose for a photo together while making Os for Oregon and Ohio State. (Middle) The Trojans’ dugout celebrates during a game. (Top photo courtesy of Pattersnap. Middle photo by Jan Michael Stump/Traverse City Record-Eagle.)