Pallozzi Seeking to Add Memorable Finish to Unforgettable Start as Mercy's Ace
By
Keith Dunlap
Special for MHSAA.com
April 3, 2025
FARMINGTON HILLS — Three years ago at about this time, Farmington Hills Mercy softball coach Corey Burras sent then promising freshman Kaitlyn Pallozzi out to the circle for her first varsity game knowing she possessed lots of potential.
But what happened next is something that still amazes Burras and everyone else who witnessed it.
Pallozzi threw a no-hitter in that debut, striking out 14 batters for the Marlins. Oh, and it got better.
Three days later, Pallozzi struck out all 21 batters she faced in a 1-0 win over Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, becoming the 12th pitcher in state history to strike out at least 21 in a seven-inning game and the third to strike out at least 21 straight hitters.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been a part of a game like that, playing or watching,” Burras said. “It was magical to see.”
Magical would be a good way to describe the high school career up to this point for Pallozzi, who is now a senior and a solid contender to be throwing the final out of this year’s Division 1 championship at Secchia Stadium come June.
Going into the season opener Tuesday at Dearborn Divine Child, Pallozzi had a 57-4 record, 899 strikeouts and a 0.54 earned-run average in 372 2/3 innings pitched for her career.
Signed to play collegiately for Alabama, Pallozzi also is a .400 hitter in the heart of Mercy’s lineup.
But her pitching dominance is what’s been especially notable during her high school career, which is somewhat remarkable since she said she wasn’t full-time into the position until she was about 13 years old while playing travel ball.
“I did pitch, but just in the (travel) seasons, I was never put in (games),” Pallozzi said. “I played third base and first base. When I got to 13-U, I was put in more and I started developing. I had been working for it my whole life. I knew I always wanted to be a pitcher. I really worked over that winter and then coming into the summer, it really took off.”
Already with a good arm from playing third base, it didn’t take long for Pallozzi to master the craft of pitching, how to move the ball and change speeds.
“I always threw pretty hard,” she said. “My location was inaccurate. I had to work on locating, adding a changeup and also a rise ball.”
Burras said Pallozzi took her game to a whole new level last year in the midst of a tougher schedule, practically driving Mercy to a Semifinal berth.
While it might seem impossible, Burras said there definitely can be more improvement from Pallozzi this year as a senior, even as she is arguably the favorite for the Miss Softball Award.
“She drove our team to the best it could be last year,” Burras said. “What’s she’s working on is accepting the role and responsibility of being a leader on the team. Also, accepting the role and pressure of getting all this attention, which she doesn’t want. She wants to go out there and support her teammates, play great softball and get prepared for the next stage.
“The most improvement you’ll see is strength and size. She’s also working on the mental aspect of the game, knowing it’s OK if she gives up a hit and it’s OK if she’s not at her best.”
There haven’t been too many times in high school where Pallozzi hasn’t been at her best, but the one most notable occasion is what is driving her and the Marlins this spring.
Pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong in a 10-0 Semifinal loss to eventual Division 1 champion Hudsonville last year. With Pallozzi and all but two regulars back from that team and a roster filled with seniors, it’s no wonder Mercy is on top of the preseason coaches association Division 1 rankings.
“I think we are all fueled because of that game,” Pallozzi said.
As difficult as her debut three years ago has been to top, if Pallozzi and Mercy can celebrate a title in East Lansing, her last game of high school softball would be even more memorable than her first.
Keith Dunlap has served in Detroit-area sports media for more than two decades, including as a sportswriter at the Oakland Press from 2001-16 primarily covering high school sports but also college and professional teams. His bylines also have appeared in USA Today, the Washington Post, the Detroit Free Press, the Houston Chronicle and the Boston Globe. He served as the administrator for the Oakland Activities Association’s website from 2017-2020. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Farmington Hills Mercy’s Kaitlyn Pallozzi makes her move toward the plate during last season’s Division 1 Semifinal against Hudsonville. (Middle) Pallozzi, during a practice this spring.
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.)