KALAMAZOO, MI (WTVB) – The Ravenna Bulldogs showed why they were the third-ranked team in the final Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association poll of the season, scoring four runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to pull away from the Bronson Vikings and win 12-2 in an MHSAA Division 3 Quarterfinal at Kalamazoo College.
Ravenna got on the board first with a run in the first inning. Bronson answered with a pair of two-out runs in the third. Lydia Wells doubled home Roni Bir, and Wells scored on a Braelynn Gimenez RBI single to give the Vikings a bried 2-1 lead. But hits were few and far between for the Purple and Gold, as Bulldog ace Natalie Rosel allowed six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts for the complete game victory.
At the plate, Ashlynn Harris was 2-for-4, Wells went 2-for-3 with an RBI double, Gimenez hit an RBI single, and Hermosa Gonzalez also singled. Harris and Madison Shaw split pitching duties.
Head coach Becky Gray said after the game, “This was definitely not the way we wanted the season to end. We ran into a very good Ravenna team and we did not play well. However, what a great season these girls had. They were led by a great group of seniors and they will be missed. I’m sad it is over as this was my last season.”
Bronson closed out their season with a 35-6 record. Ravenna improved to 38-1 and advanced to face New Lothrop in the Division 3 Semifinals Friday at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium. New Lothrop needed ten innings to get past Millington 3-2 at Mott Community College in Flint.
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In other Softball Quarterfinal games of area interest, Stevensville Lakeshore defeated Hudsonville Unity Christian 8-1 in a Division 2 Quarterfinal at Kalamazoo College. The Lancers will face Armada Thursday in the first Division 2 Semifinal.
Defending Division 4 champion Mendon doubled up Petersburg Summerfield 8-4 at Bailey Park in Battle Creek. The Hornets will take on Hillman Friday in the first Division 4 Semifinal.
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