No state title for Redskins

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Unable to get much going at the plate while facing a pitcher every bit as good as their own, Clinton's varsity softball team ended its bid for the Division 3 state championship with a 2-0 loss in the semifinal to Gladstone on Friday, June 12, at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.

Clinton (39-6) freshman Tierney Nelson and Gladstone's Mackenzie Shepeck went to battle as both teams' key pitchers and a pitching dual between the two didn't allow much in the way of base runners until the fifth inning when the Braves produced two hits that scored the game's only runs.

The Redskins had a couple good opportunities to tag runs to the scoreboard, having base runners in scoring position in both the first and third innings. Jordan Randall had a lead off single in the bottom of the first inning for Clinton but with two outs she was thrown out when trying to steal third base. With one out in the third inning the Redskins had Nelson get on first base with a single. Haley Mercy pushed her to second with a bunt that had her on first base but a double play off the bat of Randall closed the inning. Clinton had just one more hit the rest of the game.

Gladstone was able to score its two runs in the fifth inning with a two out rally. The Brave's leadoff batter was walked to get things rolling and she advanced to second on an overthrown pitch. The following two batters were struck out by Clinton's ace. Hillary Mahoney wasn't intimidated by the freshman pitcher and singled to left field to give Gladstone just enough time to score its first run. Abby Riggio followed with another single that plated the game's final run. Clinton began warming up its junior pitcher, Kristen Espinoza, but she never went in on relief with Nelson getting out of the inning with another strikeout.

“They [Gladstone] do nothing and all of the sudden, boom, they have an inning and it's over,” said Clinton coach Al Roberts. “But that's the way the game's played. You've got to take advantage of everything and they did and we didn't get a clutch hit when we had people on base.”

Nelson finished the game with 16 KOs while walking four batters in seven innings. Shepeck also went the entire distance only she gave up seven hits while striking out ten at the plate.

Abi Clark and Haley Mercy each had a pair of hits to lead the Redskins. Randall, Emily Sell and Nelson each contributed singles for the 'Skins.

In the other semifinal, No. 1 ranked Reese defeated Bronson 1-0 to advance to the final. Gladstone won the state title after beating Reese 1-0.