Prepapalooza: Final Countdown Begins

EAST LANSING — Rain delays usually produce moans and groans for many, but a storm break during Friday’s first MHSAA Division 4 Semifinal seemed to be beneficial for Unionville-Sebewaing. 

Before the skies opened up, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary seemed to have all the momentum, holding a one-run lead with runners on second and third base and one out in the bottom of the second inning.

When play resumed one hour and 15 minutes later, it was all USA. 

The Patriots’ dominated from there, rolling to a 4-1 win and continuing their bid for a record sixth-straight Finals title. 

“I told the girls that we outdanced them,” quipped USA head coach Marc Reinhardt, referring to the dancing both teams were doing in their dugouts to pass the time during the delay. “It came at a good time. The momentum was all on their side.”

After play resumed, USA pitcher Olivia Green first got her team out of the jam in the bottom of the second with two strikeouts, stranding the bases loaded for a second consecutive inning.

In the top of the third, USA (21-15) implemented a small ball strategy to perfection. A bunt single by freshman Morgan Armbruster and a sacrifice bunt put Armbruster at third base with one out, and then junior Kate Beagle laid down another bunt that scored Armbruster after she beat the throw home. 

Green then delivered an RBI double to score Beagle and make it 2-1 USA. 

“When we got (batting), we were in a perfect spot to start doing what we ended up doing,” Reinhardt said. “The girls executed like we worked on all year long. I get kids who come in as freshmen and say, ‘I don’t bunt, Coach.’ I say, ‘You will.’ Sometimes it’s necessary.”

The Patriots added a run in the fifth inning on an RBI triple by junior Macy Prime and another in the sixth on an RBI double by sophomore Nataley Harder. 

It was more than enough support for Green, who finished with 15 strikeouts and tossed a three-hitter. She didn’t allow a hit after the rain delay. 

“I would say it was more of a strategic reset,” Green said of the delay. “I was talking to our coaches about what we should do with the top of their lineup because they had good hitters coming up. It was just knowing how to set up for them and what to throw to them.”

Alley Coffey stuck out 10 batters for Michigan Lutheran Seminary (32-11), which was seeking its first appearance in a championship game. 

“We still had an opportunity with the bases loaded,” MLS head coach Seth LaBair said about the scenario when play resumed after the delay. “We needed to come up with a hit, and that probably would have given us more momentum too. The rain delay, maybe it did change things a bit. But that happens. USA had to come back and go through that too.”

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Mendon 4, Hillman 2

To win its first Finals championship in school history, Mendon will have to go through the state’s gold standard in USA. But it’s a challenge the Hornets will relish.

“These girls are dying for another opportunity,” Mendon head coach Steve Butler said. “It’s all we’ve thought about for the last year, and they’ve got it.”

Mendon lost to USA in the championship game two years ago and in the Semifinals last year, and will get a crack at the Patriots again after grinding out a win over a Hillman team that also played in the Semifinals last year. 

Mendon (35-2) committed two errors in the top of the first inning, which led to a pair of Hillman runs. Autumn Lis had an RBI single during that first inning rally for Hillman (33-8). 

In the third inning, it was Mendon’s turn to capitalize on mistakes. Hillman (33-8) committed a pair of errors, one a throwing error that allowed two runs to score and made it 3-2 Mendon. The Hornets got on the board earlier in the inning on an RBI triple by junior Jadyn Samson. 

Mendon rounded out the scoring in the fifth inning on an RBI groundout by Taya Bingaman.

All game, Mendon rode the pitching of junior Rowan Allen, who struck out 12, walked one and allowed just five hits. 

“I was feeling pretty good today, and I knew I could attack the batters and go after them because I have a great defense behind me,” Allen said.

Hillman pitcher Gretchen Weiland allowed just six hits, striking out eight and walking two in six innings of work. 

Hillman head coach Jason Weiland said his team was in a familiar position of jumping ahead quickly, given it lost the coin flip before every game of the postseason and thus was the road team for the entirety of its playoff run. 

Ultimately, Mendon’s experience and resolve prevailed. 

“We just fell short,” Weiland said. “I’m happy with this team’s success after graduating four seniors last year. They really instilled that they wanted to go (back) to the Final Four. We were hoping to take one step beyond, but back-to-back Final Four trips for us is the first time in history. I’m really proud of the girls.”

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) Unionville-Sebewaing’s Olivia Green blasts a drive during her team’s Division 4 Semifinal win over Michigan Lutheran Seminary. (Middle) Mendon’s Rowan Allen makes her move toward the plate.