Highlight Reel: Thursday Baseball/Softball Semis
June 16, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
The first day of the MHSAA Baseball/Softball Semifinals at Michigan State University’s Old College Field began under rainy conditions Thursday, but finished under a flourish of sunshine as four teams punched their tickets into Saturday’s Finals.
Below are links to video highlights from Saturday’s games. Click on the final scores to watch games in their entirety and purchase DVDs.
Baseball
Division 1
Warren DeLaSalle 3, Traverse City West 1
West Scores First - In the third inning, Traverse City West gets on the board with an RBI single by Gavin Gamhausen to score Nick Brzezinski.
Eagles Take The Lead - Hartland scored twice in the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead, with John Baker delivering an RBI single.
Hovde Delivers - With the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Saline's Richard Hovde delivers a two-out bases-loaded single to drive in two runs, which proved to be the winning margin.
Division 2
DeWitt Goes On Top - DeWitt took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Donovan Tarn doubled into the gap to score Michael Stygles.
Schut Scores Game Winner - In the seventh inning, Holland Christian's Cam Schut scores from third on a sacrifice fly by Josh Sterenberg.
Linden 5, Dearborn Divine Child 2
Chalk Chaser - Ryker Rivera hits the third base line with this run scoring single in the fourth inning to give Linden a 4-1 lead.
Koan Drives Two Home - Linden gets on the board in the third inning with this two-out, bases loaded single by Nick Koan.
Softball
Division 1
Dakota Double - The big hit in the Division 1 Semifinal between Macomb Dakota and Midland was this two-run double by Dakota's Julia Salisbury in the third inning to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead.
Gross Triples & Scores - Midland countered with two runs in the top of the fourth on this triple by Julia Gross to plate one run, and Gross then scored on a throwing error.
Farmington Hills Mercy 9, Mattawan 6
Swinehart Has A Big Game - Mackenzie Swinehart of Mattawan went 3 for 4 against Farmington Hills Mercy, scoring twice and driving in a run with this third-inning triple.
Three-Run Double For Padula - Farmington Hills Mercy scored five times in the second inning against Mattawan, the big hit this bases-clearing double by Cari Padula.
Division 2
Vicksburg 7, Livonia Ladywood 5
Helping With A Homer - Livonia Ladywood starting pitcher Rozlyn Price helped her own cause in the third inning with a two-run home run to center field against Vicksburg.
Bulldogs Begin Their Rally - Vicksburg started its rally back with two runs in the third inning. Alicia Cagney singles home the first run.
Eskymos Take Advantage - Escanaba tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning when Kathleen Ross scored on a Richmond error.
Richmond Tacks One On - Rachel Leach finishes the scoring for Richmond against Escanaba with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning, one of her two hits in the game.
PHOTO: An Escanaba runner tries to beat a throw to second base during her team’s Semifinal against Richmond.
Hoops on Film: 1954 Class A Boys Final
July 2, 2015
By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
This week's installment of MHSAA.tv's Hoops on Film series features the first championship victory for one of Michigan's most accomplished boys basketball programs.
This is the second of 10 games being brought back to MHSAA.tv this summer. From the late 1940’s to the mid 1970’s the Michigan High School Athletic Association shot portions of the action at its 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 postgame 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.
The game recap below is courtesy of MHSAA Historian Ron Pesch of Muskegon.
Muskegon Heights 43, Flint Northern 41 (OT) – 1954 Class A Boys Final - After three visits to the MHSAA Semifinals, Muskegon Heights grabbed its first-ever title with a 43-41 overtime win over Flint Northern at Jenison Field House in East Lansing. Tied at 41-41 at the end of regulation, the Vikings opted to hold the ball for nearly three minutes of the extra period, after the Tigers missed two shots following the opening tip-off. But as Vikings guard Bob Failing drove in for the final shot, he was called for a charging foul. Under the rules of the time, Murt Johnson of the Heights stepped to the line, and calmly sank two free throws for the only points of OT. Future University of Michigan star M.C. Burton scored 22 points to pace the Heights.
Previous releases:
1973 Class C Boys Final: Detroit East Catholic 50, Saginaw St. Stephen 49 - Watch