BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB) – For the second straight year, the Coldwater Cardinal softball team claimed at least a share of the Interstate 8 championship. They finished a suspended doubleheader at Pennfield Thursday and won both games in five innings, 12-0 and 17-4.
In the opener, Laynie VanAken started and threw two innings of no-hit ball with one walk and six strikeouts for the win. Audrina Bucklin allowed just two hits in three innings of relief duty, walking one and striking out four. Offensively, Mya Porter was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBIs, Laynie VanAken smacked a two-run triple, Rylie VanAken added an RBI double, and Coley Burkhardt went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-RBI single.
The nightcap saw Coldwater put together a 21-hit attack. Rylie VanAken’s leadoff homer on the first pitch of the game set the tone; she finished 3-for-5 and drove in three runs, while Addy Bucklin was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Mya Porter was 3-for-4 with a triple, Coley Burkhardt went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, Vandria Bucklin was 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Laynie VanAken added an RBI double. Winning pitcher Audrina Bucklin allowed one hit with no walks and four strikeouts in relief of starter Mackenzie Searing.
The Cardinals improved to 26-1 overall and wrapped up Interstate 8 play at 11-1. They will play a doubleheader at Kalamazoo Central on Tuesday. Whether or not Coldwater shares the conference championship with Harper Creek will depend on how the Beavers do at Hastings on Friday and against Parma Western on Tuesday. Harper Creek was 7-1 in the I-8 entering Friday’s action.
BRONSON, MI – Bronson improved to 24-5 after sweeping a doubleheader against visiting Parma Western, 1-0 and 9-0.
Each team had only three hits in the first game. An RBI double from Lydia Wells brought home the only run for the Vikings. Madison Shaw walked two and struck out ten.
The second game saw Bronson outhit the Panthers 10-2. Wells was 3-for-3 with two doubles, and Roni Bir went 3-for-3 with a triple and a homer; both drove in two runs apiece. Hermosa Gonzalez was 2-for-3 with a solo homer. Ashlynn Harris recorded one walk and 12 strikeouts.
The Vikings will host the Polish Classic tournament on Saturday.
QUINCY, MI – A correction on Tuesday’s recap of the Quincy-Reading softball doubleheader. The second game was not called after four innings with the Orioles losing 7-4. It was suspended due to lightning and resumed on Thursday, and Quincy mounted a comeback to beat the Rangers 9-8 and sweep the twinbill. (Quincy took the first game Tuesday 25-12 in eight innings.)
The Orioles got the game-winning run when Hannah Brown’s bunt attempt was mishandled by Reading’s first baseman, allowing Shaylee Cope to score from second. Cope finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Josi Parker doubled and drove in two runs, Mackenzie Sattison doubled, and Miley Poindexter went 2-for-4 with a triple. On the circle, Parker recorded 14 strikeouts.
Quincy then played their scheduled contest against Onsted and lost to the Wildcats 23-5 in three innings. Taylor Lewis hit a two-run triple, while Brown was 2-for-2.
The Orioles are now 9-16 overall and 2-8 in the Big 8. They will travel to Jackson Saturday for the Al Glick Classic, opening up against Columbia Central at Parkside Middle School.
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