Highlight Reel: Friday Baseball/Softball Semis
June 17, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
The field for the 2016 MHSAA Baseball and Softball Finals are now set, with the last four teams in each sport posting Semifinal victories Friday at Old College Field on the Michigan State University campus.
Below are links to video highlights from Friday’s games. Click on the final scores to watch them in their entirety and purchase DVDs.
Baseball
Division 3
New Lothrop 6, Jackson Lumen Christi 1
Mogel Makes It A Tie Game - Connor Mogle drove the ball into the gap in the third inning for Jackson Lumen Christi to plate a run and tie things up at 1-1 in the third inning.
Wendling’s First RBI Single - Putting New Lothrop in the lead to stay was Max Wendling, with RBI singles in back to back innings.
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 9, Mason County Central 0
Bases-Clearing Double - The big hit in a four-run second inning for Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett was a bases loaded double by William Morrison.
Division 4
Sterling Heights Parkway Christian 5, Centreville 1
Eagles Take Flight - Sterling Heights Parkway Christian jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Centerville in its first at bat, featuring a two-run single by Jacob Bambrick.
Centreville On The Board - Centreville scores in the seventh inning on this two-out single by Collin Kirby to plate Michael Kool.
Portland St. Patrick 2, Gaylord St. Mary 0
St. Patrick Scores In First - Portland St. Patrick got the only run it would need in the opening inning when Dan Mackowiak bunted for a single, scoring Brendan Schrauben.
Andrews Catches Them Stealing - Gaylord St. Mary catcher Gage Andrews ended two Portland St. Patrick innings by catching runners stealing. Here's the play to end the third inning, when he retired Brendan Schrauben at third base.
Softball
Division 3
Grandville Calvin Christian 4, Millington 2
Cardinals Go Up In Fourth - Millington took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on this RBI single by Kayli Leix, who had two hits in the contest.
Big Hit By VanDenBerg - Driving in the game-winning runs in the sixth inning for Grandville Calvin Christian was shortstop Marissa VanDenBerg with a triple to centerfield.
Defense-Defense-Defense - Here's a series of great defensive plays by Grandville Calvin Christian against Millington. The first and third plays are great catches by shortstop Marissa VanDenBerg, and the middle play from third baseman Sarah Elderkin was nice as well.
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 13, Gladstone 0 (5 inn.)
Brooke Goes 3 For 3 - Brooke Angerer was one of two players for Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central to pick up three hits against Gladstone. Here's a first inning RBI single.
And Garst Goes 3 For 3 - The other player for Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central with three hits against Gladstone was Kenna Garst, who laced this run-scoring triple in the second inning.
Division 4
Unionville-Sebewaing 12, Morenci 3
Borton Bounces Two Runs Home - Morenci took a 2-1 lead on Unionville-Sebewaing in the second inning when Hannah Borton bounced one over the second baseman.
Cady Can Do - Alexis Cady smacked a two-run double in the sixth inning for Unionville-Sebewaing against Morenci. She finished the game with three hits.
Indian River Inland Lakes 2, Holton 0
Pitcher Wins Her Own Game - Cloe Mallory of Indian River Inland Lakes did it all against Holton, striking out 13 and blasting a two-run homer in the second inning for the only runs of the game.
PHOTO: A Grandville Calvin Christian batter is about to make contact during her team's Division 3 Semifinal win.
Hoops on Film: 1961 Class D Boys Final
July 27, 2015
By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
A battle of undefeated teams from schools both no longer in existence is highlighted this week as part of MHSAA.tv’s Hoops On Film Series.
From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its boys and girls basketball finals on 16mm film. The films were loaned out, primarily to the participating schools, to help them relive the moments of playing in a championship game.
While many of the old films have wandered astray over time, about 60 games still exist in the MHSAA archives. Anyone in possession of such a film is encouraged to contact John Johnson at the MHSAA Office ([email protected]) to discuss having the film converted to a digital format.
Some of the films only have portions of the second half and the post-game awards; some have most of the action. None of the films have sound. They range in length from 10 minutes to about an hour. A new film will be posted online each Monday through the week of August 17. DVD’s may be purchased directly from the MHSAA.tv Website – just click the Get DVD button below the player.
Here’s a look at this week’s game, with recap courtesy of MHSAA historian Ron Pesch:
Marquette Pierce 68, Freesoil 61 – 1961 Class D Boys Final - After 35 years as a coach in the Upper Peninsula, Vic Hurst was rewarded with his first MHSAA title as Marquette Pierce downed a determined Freesoil squad, 68-61, in a Class D battle of the undefeated. Dave Benson led the Warriors with 17 points, while teammates Dennis DeMerse and the Laurich brothers – Conrad and Larry – each added 15. The matchup came after each school's first Regional crown and ended up the only time either school would ever reach the Finals. Pierce would close after the 1961 season, and its only other Regional appearances came back-to-back in 1955 and 1956. Freesoil would win four more Regional titles during its history – three consecutive form 1966-68. The high school closed after the 2006-07 school year and was absorbed into the Mason County Eastern school district.
Previous releases:
1958 Class A Boys Final: Detroit Austin 71, Benton Harbor 68 - Watch
1976 Class D Girls Final: Lake City 58, Perkins 48 - Watch
1971 Class A Boys Final: Flint Northern 79, Detroit Kettering 78 - Watch
1954 Class A Boys Final: Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) - Watch
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch