Today in the MHSAA: Softball Quarterfinals

June 13, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Girls Softball Finals will be played Thursday and Friday at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium. Below is a sampling of coverage of how the 16 qualifiers advanced.

Division 1: No. 2 Clarkston downed No. 1 Hartland 11-3 to advance – Livingston Daily Press & Argus 

Division 1: No. 3 Howell earned a return to Secchia Stadium with a big win over honorable mention Canton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Division 1: No. 6 Warren Regina will play for another Division 1 championship after downing Garden City – Detroit News 

Division 1: No. 7 Bay City Western got past Lowell 4-1 to earn a return to East Lansing – Midland Daily News

Division 2: No. 3 Eaton Rapids shut out Ida to move on, 2-0 – Lansing State Journal

Division 2: A freshman and junior pitched No. 4 Stevensville Lakeshore past No. 6 Spring Lake, 3-1 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

Division 2: Top-ranked Escanaba earned an opportunity to repeat as champion with a 2-0 win over honorable mention Freeland – Escanaba Daily Press

Division 2: Reese Ruhlman hit three home runs to lead North Branch past St. Clair Shores South Lake – Detroit News

Division 3: No. 7 Standish-Sterling hit a pair of home runs to get past No. 10 Negaunee – Iron Mountain Daily News

Division 3: A big sixth inning pushed No. 2 Dundee past Riverview Gabriel Richard 8-3 – Monroe News

Division 3: Honorable mention Schoolcraft won a high-scoring Quarterfinal over Grandville Calvin Christian 14-6 – Three Rivers Commercial News

Division 3: Top-ranked Millington booked its return to the Semifinals with a big win over Marine City – High School Sports Scene

Division 4: No. 1 Coleman earned another Semifinals trip with a big win over No. 7 Holton – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Division 4: No. 4 Rogers City edged Rudyard 2-1 to also return to the Semifinals – Alpena News

Division 4: No. 2 Kalamazoo Christian won big over Hudson to advance – Kalamazoo Gazette

Division 4: No. 9 Unionville-Sebewaing earned its 13th trip to the Semifinals over the last 14 seasons with a big win over honorable mention Allen Park Inter-City Baptist – Huron Daily Tribune

Called to Coach (Bay City Times)

May 30, 2012

Even for the best, coaching wouldn't be referred to as "easy" -- and many would argue that it's grown tougher as time commitment, financial need and parental influence all have increased.

And yet, there are thousands who every year continue to lead our programs. The Bay City Times' Cory Butzin recently explained some of the reasons why in his three-part series, "Called to Coach." 

Below are links to all three parts:

Part 1: Teaching young athletes is a high school coach's biggest reward

Part 2: High school coaches put in the time

Part 3: Support on the home front is crucial for a high school coach