Did you see that?

April 16, 2012

Check out our must-know scores and news from April 9-14.

(Click on links for coverage.)

Baseball

Milestone victory: Johannesburg-Lewiston coach Rick Guild won his 700th game, becoming the ninth Michigan baseball coach to do so according to the MHSAA record book. Guild took over the Cardinals program in 1975. (Gaylord Herald Times)

No-no No. 2: Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett’s Alex Daar threw his second no-hitter of this young season, striking out 15 in a 4-0 win over Livonia Clarenceville. He also struck out 15 in his first no-hitter this spring. (Detroit News)

Softball

One day, two no-hitters: Saginaw Valley Lutheran pitchers Sarah Appold and Kelsey Schaus combined to no-hit Flint Southwestern for the day on Saturday. Appold threw a no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader, striking out 14, while Schaus did the same in the second game while striking out 11. (Saginaw News)

Soccer

Hornets sting Mason: In a matchup of reigning District champions in Divisions 3 and 2, respectively, Williamston downed Mason 3-1. Both teams likely will be ranked when the first polls are released this week. The Hornets are 4-1, with their lone loss to Birmingham Marian, and with Hudsonville Unity Christian and a tournament including Flint Powers Catholic, Detroit Country Day, Frankenmuth, Plainwell and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard coming up over the next two weekends. (Lansing State Journal)

Tennis

West Ottawa wins at Lowell: Holland West Ottawa, which tied for 12th at last season’s Lower Peninsula Division 1 Final, edged currently-ranked Division 3 No. 8 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 47-44 to win the Lowell Invitational. (Holland Sentinel)

Media

Thanks, Jim: Longtime Port Huron Times-Herald sports editor Jim Whymer retired from the paper after more than 33 years. An enthusiastic advocate of high school athletics, Whymer has been a tireless presence both in his community and statewide serving as a voting member of various Associated Press committees for football and basketball rankings and all-state teams. (Port Huron Times-Herald)

Editor's note: Did we miss something? Comment below and tell us about it. Is there an event coming up that we should make sure to note? Comment or e-mail [email protected].

Gazzarari Picks Up Momentum in Bracket Play, Completes Impressive Climb

By Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com

March 1, 2025

ALLEN PARK – A field of heavy hitters filled the Division 1 girls singles championship at Thunderbowl Lanes on Saturday.

Senior Madeline Gazzarari, who qualified 14th, handled that field and won the crown, defeating Rockford’s Sophia DeLuccia 445-385 in the final.

“It has been a long day,’’ said Gazzarari, who is coached by her uncle. Mike Axline. “I started gaining some momentum after qualifying. Going into the third match I felt good. To do this my senior year, this is amazing.’’

Said Axline: “She beat Madison Rue in the first round and Sophia Matheson, who was the third seed today. She shot well. She made a lot of spares.’’

Sophomore Ava Mazza from Utica United was the top qualifier in the girls division at 1,354 followed by Tiara Henderson of Westland John Glenn (1,305), senior Rue of team runner-up Holt (1,289) and senior Matheson of Utica.

Utica’s big three of Mazza, Matheson and Hadley Clark all made the top 16. Mazza and Matheson then advanced to quarterfinals.

Mazza rolled past Haylee Hodges of Saginaw Heritage, 413-328, while Matheson disposed of Paiton Thompson of team champion Grandville, 377-299. Clark ended a tough weekend with a 337-309 loss to sophomore Sofia DeLuccia of Rockford.

Rue struggled and fell to Gazzarari, 406-242, and Gazzarari then faced Madison Thomas of Belleville, a 367-356 winner over Brooklyn Hannah of Livonia Franklin.

Second-seed Henderson survived Jenna McKinzie of Grand Haven, 413-396. Henderson’s next opponent was Aria Ragland of Taylor, who had defeated Sophia Best of Livonia Churchill, 461-320.

Henderson advanced to the semifinals with a 389-316 victory over Ragland while Mazza ended Stephens’ run, 398-352. 

Gazzarari – also a semifinalist in 2023 – ended Henderson’s run, shooting a 222 in the second game to reach the final with a 385-354 victory.

For the second straight year Mazza fell just short of bowling for the championship, losing to Gazzarari 365-361.

Click for full scores.