10 to Remember: 2013-14 Finals

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.)