06-21-2018 Tri-City Area Sports

Seventh inning spark leads Coloma softball to first state championship title

What a way to win a game – and a state championship! The Comets of Coloma came from behind to win their first ever Michigan High School Athletic Association  softball state title Saturday at Secchia Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University.

The Comets, led by head coach Wendy Goodline, were the #2 ranked team in Division 3 competition in the state following the conclusion of the regular season in late May. Their opponent on Saturday, Millington, was #1.

ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP… Coloma head coach Wendy Goodline hoists the MHSAA state championship trophy after the Comets won 7-6 over Millington in an exciting – and nerve wracking – seventh inning, come from behind, victory. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The teams took to the diamond at 3:00 p.m. Coloma won the coin toss and elected to be the visiting team.

Coloma’s Megan Koenigshof got a leadoff single to start the game. She moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Yore. Jaidyn Hutsell blasted a double to score Koenigshof as Coloma took a 1-0 lead.

Jaidyn Hutsell went to work on the mound for Coloma. She struck out the first batter before Millington put up a double to get on board.  Following a ground out, the runner moved to second and things looked good for Millington.

Hutsell walked a batter and two runners were on base with two outs. But, the batter hit a grounder to Sam Stewart covering third base and she got the out at one, keeping Coloma in the lead.

In the second inning, the Comets were three up, three down.

Hutsell was in command in the second inning. She struck out the leadoff batter. Millington lined a triple, but, no harm, no foul as Hutsell struck out the next two batters to retire the side. At the close of two, Coloma maintained a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, the Comets were unable to garner any offense and went three up, three down again.

Millington tied up the game in their half of the third inning. A leadoff triple put one runner aboard. That hit was followed by a single, which scored a run. Millington left one on base but tied the game at 1-1.

Coloma was hitless in the fourth inning. Millington, however, was not. A leadoff single was followed by two singles and a triple. Goodline switched pitchers, putting Skylar Crisenbery in the game. She struck out the first batter, who reached first on a wild pitch. Millington ground out to close the fourth inning, but damage had been done. Having scored four runs, they took the lead from the Comets, 5-1.

Coloma struggled in the fifth inning. A ground out was followed by two strikeouts as the squads headed into the bottom of the fifth inning.

UMP FOR JOY… With Coloma head coach Wendy Goodline and assistant coach Dave Ehlers joining in the on-field celebration, first baseman Hannah Mathis takes her excitement to a higher level following Coloma’s 7-6 win over Millington for their first ever MHSAA state softball championship title. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Crisenbery opened the inning by hitting a Millington batsman. The Cardinals got a single and two runners were on the bags with no outs.  Crisenbery walked the next batter, loading the bases. She then struck out a batter. Two popups later, Millington returned to the dugout unable to score any of their three runners.

Coloma began to rally in the sixth inning.  Hannah Mathis took first base on a fielding error.  Yore singled as Mathis moved to third base.

Morgan Wagner was able to reach first on a second Millington error, and she scored Mathis.  Hutsell came up with another big hit, this time a double to right center. Yore scored. Mya Potter hit a sacrifice fly that scored Wagner, and the Comets were back in the game but trailed 5-4.

Millington led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single. That runner scored on the next hit, which was a double. Three groundouts closed the inning as Millington added one run to their total taking the score to 6-4 as the teams headed for the seventh inning.

With Comet fans cheering and the bench pumped up, Megan Neubecker stepped to the plate. The right-hander batted a single down the right field line. Stewart’s turn at the plate yielded a single, which advanced Neubecker to second.

Hannah Mathis converted a pitch into a left field single, and Neubecker scored on a fielding error as the Comets inched closer to Millington.

Megan Koenigshof was safe at first on a fielder’s choice. With runners on first and third, Yore hit a sacrifice fly to score Julia Sternaman, who was pinch runner for Stewart. The score was tied 6-6 with Koenigshof on second and two outs.

Wagner tattooed a pitch into left field, which scored Koenigshof and gave Coloma the 7-6 lead. The inning closed out as the Comets scored three runs on four hits and left one runner on base.

Into the bottom of the seventh inning we go. The tension in the stands was palpable, as many – both Comet and Cardinal fans – couldn’t believe the comeback staged by Coloma.

It was Millington’s ball game as the squads settled into the bottom of the seventh. A leadoff single gave a bump to Millington’s spirits.  Coach Goodline headed out to the mound and after a short discussion, motioned for Hutsell to enter the circle. Crisenbery finished out her pitching duties and walked back to the dugout as cheers rained down from the crowd.

Hutsell settled in. It took eight pitches, but she struck out the first batter she faced.  Then, Hutsell struck out the next batter. There were two outs, one runner on as Millington trailed by one.

Millington hit a single, which put runners at the corners. Goodline called for the next batter to be intentionally walked, which loaded the bases.

That’s where we were, folks. Bases loaded. Two outs. Coloma was up by one in the bottom of the seventh. A win would give the victors the state championship… a storybook ending just waiting for the final sentence to be written. The crowd held their collective breath as the game played out.

Hutsell’s first pitch was a ball. Her second pitch was a strike. The batter faced a 1-1 count as Hutsell released the ball from her hand. The batter swung, connected, the runners took off from their bags, and… Koenigshof scooped up the hit, threw to Mathis at first for the final out of the game and put Coloma in the record books!

PICTURE PERFECT PROTECTION… Coloma first baseman Hannah Mathis covers the ball and applies the tag to the Clinton runner Friday in teams’ state semifinal matchup. Coloma clipped Clinton’s title march 5-1. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The win marks the first time in the school’s history they have brought home a state softball title.

Coloma scored seven runs on eight hits. Millington scored six runs on 13 hits.

Hutsell pitched four and two-thirds innings for Coloma. She allowed five runs on nine hits. She struck out six and walked two. Hutsell threw 94 pitches, 66 of which were strikes.

Crisenbery pitched two and one-third innings for the Comets.  She had one run on four hits; she struck out two and walked one. She had 41 pitches, 22 were strikes.

Goodline, a former CHS softball player herself and head coach of the Comets for the past 19 seasons was thrilled with her team’s victory and bringing the hardware home. “It’s everything. It’s everything a coach dreams of doing. This group has worked hard. I’m excited for these seven seniors and I’ve had lots of good groups of softball players. This is just for all of them because they have all contributed to this. We wouldn’t win if we didn’t have the players we had in the past.”

Megan Koenigshof, Julia Sternaman, Hannah Mathis, Sam Stewart, Kayla Yore, Megan Neubecker, Phoebe Brown, Skylar Crisenbery, Mika Andersen, Morgan Wagner, Mia Cole, Mya Potter, and Jaidyn Hutsell make up the championship squad. They are led by head coach Goodline and assistants Dave Ehlers and Rebecca Allen.

Col    1 0 0 | 0 0 3 | 3       7     8     0

Mil    0 0 1 | 4 0 1 | 0       6    13    3

Comets cruise to 5-1 victory over Clinton in state semifinals

Coloma’s first at bat may have been a precursor to how much the Comets would have to battle to win their Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Division 3 semifinal game against Clinton Friday, June 15.

Megan Koenigshof was the leadoff hitter for the Comets and it took 12 pitches for her to get on base. At one point, the lefty dug deep in the box and fouled off five consecutive pitches before being walked. Once she was aboard, though, watch out! The sophomore’s speed had her reach second base on a Kayla Yore sacrifice bunt, and she advanced to third. Morgan Wagner laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to score Koenigshof and the Comets grabbed the early 1-0 lead.

Clinton was three up, three down for their half of the first.

HERS, HERS, HERS… Coloma left fielder Megan Neubecker calls for the ball Friday in the Comets’ state semifinal game against Clinton. Neubecker got the first-inning out, and Coloma got the 5-1 win. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

In the second inning, Skylar Crisenbery hit a double into left field but was stranded.

Jaidyn Hutsell pitched from the rubber for the Comets. She struck out the side in the second inning.

With Coloma up to bat in the top of the third inning, Koenigshof doubled to center. Wagner hit a single to score Koenigshof. Following the third out of the inning, Coloma led 2-0.

Clinton mustered a lone hit in the third inning, and Koenigshof chased down a popup in foul territory for the third out.

Crisenbery was walked to start the fourth inning. Neubecker laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Crisenbery. Sam Stewart was hit by a pitch. Coloma had two runners onboard but was unable to bring anyone home.

Clinton failed to garner any offense in their portion of the fourth inning, and Coloma led 2-0.

Coloma had one hit in the fifth inning; Hutsell sliced a single to center.

Clinton was three up, three down again in the fifth.

Coloma came up big in the sixth inning as they tacked on three runs.  Stewart was hit by another pitch, her second wearing of the softball in the game.  Hannah Mathis blasted a double to right center.

Koenigshof was intentionally walked and Kayla Yore hit a double to score all three runs.

Clinton’s only run of the game came in the sixth inning.  With two outs, three singles sent a Clinton runner across the plate.

The seventh inning found Potter being walked before Phoebe Brown singled to center for the Comets’ only hit.

Hutsell went the distance in the game, serving up seven innings off the rubber.  She allowed one run on four hits and struck out four.

Following the Comet victory, Coloma set its sights on the state championship game, scheduled for Saturday, June 16. Coloma would tangle with #1 Millington for the title.

Comets cruise to quarterfinals win over Stanton Central Montcalm

The Coloma varsity softball team entered MHSAA quarterfinals action riding a high. The team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference and held district and regional championship trophies in their hands. The total effort put forth by the Comets earned them a trip to Davenport University Tuesday, June 12 to take on Stanton Central Montcalm, with a trip to state semifinal softball action on the line.

The Comets showcased their impressive hitting talents by walloping Central Montcalm with 14 runs in five innings.

Coloma won the coin toss and, as expected, opted to be the visiting team. As has been their thought process all season long, the Lady Comets want the opportunity to strike first at the plate (figuratively, not literally).

Coloma opened the inning with five runs.  Megan Koenigshof had a leadoff single and scored on a Kayla Yore sacrifice fly.  Jaidyn Hutsell then crushed an over the fence home run for the game’s second run.

SLIDE BY… Coloma’s leadoff hitter Megan Koenigshof gets her hand on the plate as she slides safely past the Stanton Central Montcalm catcher Tuesday night at Davenport University. Coloma beat Montcalm 14-0 in five innings to move on to the state semi-finals. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Mya Potter was walked, Skylar Crisenbery hit a single, and Megan Neubecker was walked to load the bases.  Sam Stewart crushed a three-run double to right field to boost the score to 5-0 in the top of the first.

Hannah Mathis got on base before Montcalm called for a pitching change and ended the inning. The Hornets hit three consecutive singles before Koenigshof caught a pop-up and threw to Hutsell at third and caught the base runner looking to end the inning.

In the second inning, Wagner hit a single, which was followed by Hutsell connecting with an RBI double. Potter was hit by a pitch and two runs scored when Crisenbery reached first on an error. The Comets led 8-0 at the midpoint of the second inning.

Third inning action found Koenigshof and Yore hitting consecutive singles. Wagner made the game 10-0 after she smacked a single. Hutsell was intentionally walked, and Crisenbery doubled to center, scoring the 11th and 12th runs of the game.

Montcalm changed pitchers again following their turn at bat. It didn’t affect Mathis as she hit a single. Koenigshof sliced a triple and tried to steal home but was thrown out. Following four innings of play, Coloma led 13-0.

BRICK WALL… Coloma second baseman Mya Potter gets down in the dirt to prevent a ball from scooting past the infield Saturday in the Comets’ game against Millington. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

In the fifth inning, Coloma tallied singles by Wagner and Crisenbery, with the pitcher notching the RBI.

Following Montcalm’s last outing, the game was called in the fifth inning. Coloma proved victorious in the shutout, 14-0.

Skylar Crisenbery got the call as the starting pitcher for the Comets and, boy, did she put together a beaut. She pitched the complete five-inning shutout. She allowed just three hits and struck out five batters.

FIRST INNING FOUL… Coloma leadoff hitter Megan Koenigshof fouled off the third pitch of the game Saturday against Millington. Koenigshof would hit a single the next pitch and would go on to score and give the Comets a 1-0 lead in the state championship game. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Following the victory, Goodline said, “My team prefers to be the visitors and get some runs on the board. I asked them at the beginning of the tournament, ‘What do you want to do?’ and they said, ‘Hit first.’ Even if we don’t score first they seem to be more relaxed. My pitchers pitch better if we get through hitting first. So, we’ve gone with it. Other teams look at me like we’re absolutely crazy, but it works for us.”

With the quarterfinals win in hand, the Lady Comets faced Clinton, who was ranked #3 in the state, Friday at Michigan State University in the MHSAA semifinals.

Col     5 3 4 | 1 1          14    15    2

Mon   0 0 0 | 0 0            0      3    2

Ladies Monday Night Happy Hour Golf League

Monday, June 11 golf report from the Paw Paw Lake Golf Club:

Weekly Event winner: Cheryl Hutchins; Low Gross:  Cheryl Hutchins with 52; Low Net: Carol Klass with 33; Low Putts:  Cheryl Hutchins with 14.

Monday, June 18 golf report:

Weekly Event winner: Carol Klass; Low Gross:  Cheryl Hutchins with 55; Low Net: Sandy Johnson with 36; Low Putts:  Cheryl Hutchins with 16; Pars:  Sandy Johnson #14, Cheryl Hutchins #14; Birdies:  Cheryl Hutchins #13.

Kyle Busch leads Monster Energy Cup series standings NASCAR tracks were empty Sunday as fans, drivers, and teams celebrated Father’s Day, so it’s a great time to review how the 2018 season is going and who is leading the pack in the Monster Energy Cup series. Kyle Busch is the top driver in the standings, with 15 races in the bag this season. However, he is not the driver with the most wins. Busch has four victories in 2018. He has six other top five finishes. Busch has failed to finish a race only one time this season. He has led a total of 888 laps and has five stage wins. Kevin Harvick has earned 589 points this season and trails Busch by 75. Harvick has won the most races this year – five – and has eight stage wins. He has six other top five finishes and failed to finish a race twice. Harvick is the leader in laps; he has led 958 circuits on the tracks. Joey Logano, who has one win under his belt, is 98 points out of first place. He has four other top five finishes and has led 220 laps. He has won two stages and has finished all 15 races this season. Brad Keselowski is winless this year and only has four top five finishes. He led 259 laps and has four stage wins. Keselowski has finished in the top five four times and has failed to finish a race four times this year. He is chasing the top spot by 150 points. Clint Bowyer is four points behind Keselowski in fifth place. Bowyer has two wins and two other top five finishes. He has one DNF and led 308 laps. Bowyer has yet to lead a stage. Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson make up sixth through 10th place, respectively, in the standings. The teams return to the track Sunday in the Toyota/Save Mart 350, hosted by Sonoma Raceway. Harvick won last summer’s race, so you can bet he will be gunning to repeat. Find out how the drivers fared next week in Pit Stop.

Press Box Player of the Week

Megan Koenigshof: Hot hitter Coloma varsity softball shortstop, sophomore Megan Koenigshof is this week’s player of the week. During the Comets’ state semi-finals game against Clinton, Koenigshof scored three times in the 5-1 win. In her first at bat, she was walked after battling to a 3-2 count. In the 12-pitch outing, she fouled off seven straight pitches before heading to first base. She also hit a double and was intentionally walked in the contest.

In Coloma’s state finals game against Millington, Koenigshof was two for four with a single and fielder’s choice. She scored twice in the 7-6 Comet victory, helping to bring home the school’s first softball state championship trophy. Dr. Andy Says… “Did you know your attitude affects your health? A poor attitude can lead to poor health. Spend more time doing things with family & friends that put a smile on your face. Chiropractic can help you feel better and improve that attitude.”

GOLD JAIDYN… In what would go down as two impressive outings, Coloma’s Jaidyn Hutsell would open and close out the Comets’ state championship victory over Millington Saturday. She pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. She struck out six and walked two. Hutsell also pitched Coloma’s semifinal game against Clinton Friday afternoon. In that contest, she allowed one run on hits and struck out four. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)