Through the Years: Softball 1975-2015
June 28, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
For more than three decades, the MHSAA Softball Finals have helped finish off another year of high school athletics in Michigan.
But as we begin this summer series of features on MHSAA tournaments from our spring issue of benchmarks, we'll kick off with softball and editor Rob Kaminski's look at the tournament's first 31 seasons.
We'll look at another MHSAA postseason event every Tuesday and Friday throughout this summer.
D2 Softball Final: The Legend of Hayes
June 16, 2012
BATTLE CREEK – The legend of Livonia Ladywood sophomore Lauren Hayes sprouted with two outs left in Friday’s Division 2 Semifinal at Bailey Park.
It grew exponentially in Saturday’s championship game.
Coming in for injured four-year pitcher Briana Combs and needing two outs Friday against Wayland Union, Hayes got two strikeouts. And in the Final, with Combs unable to throw due to a left knee injury, Hayes tossed a three-hitter to lead the Blazers to a 4-0 win over Saginaw Swan Valley and their first MHSAA title.
Hayes also had three hits and two RBI leading off for Ladywood, which finished 39-3 and entered the tournament ranked No. 2. Junior third baseman Celeste Fidge also played a big part, driving in two runs.
Swan Valley entered the tournament ranked No. 3 and got one more impressive pitching performance from senior Mackenzie Boehler, who gave up only two earned runs.
The Vikings finished 39-3. Click for a full box score.