Sacred Heart Standout Goes National
July 30, 2012
Sara Hansen put together one of the best softball seasons in MHSAA history this spring.
And here's the most incredible part -- she's still got two more high school seasons to play.
Yes, the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart shortstop was only a sophomore in leading her team to the Division 4 Semifinals at Bailey Park. Along the way, she had at least one hit in every game this season, set two MHSAA records and tied a national record.
Hansen hit .633 with 39 RBI and 33 stolen bases in the lead-off spot for the Irish, who made their deepest tournament run since 1994. She'll carry a 56-game hitting streak -- dating back to May of her freshman year -- into next season when it begins in March.
We caught up with Hansen last week while the National Federation of State High School Associations was putting the finishing touches on her national record book entries. Click to read our Q&A.
Also, click for the mention of her accomplishments from the National Federation of State High School Associations.
PHOTO: Sacred Heart's Anna Hansen was 3 for 5 with two runs scored in the Irish's 7-3 nine-inning Semifinal loss to Petersburg-Summerfield on June 15. (Click to see more photos at HighSchoolsSportsScene.com.)
D3 Softball Final: Clinton 1st a 2nd Time
June 16, 2012
BATTLE CREEK – Clinton seniors Tierney Nelson, Haley Mercy and Abi Clark finished their four-year varsity careers and fourth trips to Bailey Park with their team’s second-straight Division 3 championship Saturday.
Nelson struck out seven and gave up six hits as the Redskins were outhit 6-5, but made good on their opportunities for three runs in the third inning and another in the fourth.
Junior Cami Prater hit a solo home run for Clinton (43-1), and all three seniors also drove in a run.
Gladstone, making its third championship game appearance in nine seasons, gave up only one earned run and got a combined five strikeouts from junior Alison Austin and sophomore Christine Sharon, who each threw three innings. Senior rightfielder Katie Becker had three hits and senior leftfielder Whitney Wells had two.
Clinton entered the tournament ranked No.1, and Gladstone (30-6-1) was No. 7. Click for a complete box score.
PHOTO: Clinton senior Tierney Nelson prepares to unleash a pitch during Saturday's Division 3 Final.