Unbelievable: Troy stuns No. 6 Romeo for regional crown

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

OXFORD — Winning regional championships has become old hat for Troy’s softball team. But even the Colts’ latest title was a little unexpected.

Despite being a third-place finisher in its league, the OAA Red Division, and losing four all-state players from last year’s team, Troy has put together one fine run this postseason which culminated in the unranked Colts upsetting sixth-ranked Romeo, 4-3, in the Division 1 regional finals Saturday at Oxford High School.

“We lost four all-staters from last year. Nobody thought we’d do this,” said Troy coach Tom Calnen. “I wouldn’t say it was (totally) unexpected, either. We had to do something monumental today and we got that today. I’m proud of the kids for hanging in there.”

Troy (19-11) will play in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, where the Colts will face New Baltimore Anchor Bay.

The win marked Troy’s fifth straight regional title and seventh in nine years. Calnen said his team played Romeo like a predator lying in the dark, awaiting the right moment to jump on its prey.

“We had to get close and keep it close because you’re not going to score a ton on (Romeo pitcher Taylor Weaver),” said Calnen. “You have to see if they make a mistake or two, and then everyone gets a little tight.

“This worked out exactly what we talked about earlier in the week,” continued Calnen. “Trying to get to Romeo, keep it tight, maybe some nerves come into play. I thought our team would be loose. We had to let it go and we did that. We just coming (at them) and I’m so proud them because that first inning was ugly and it could have been a little uglier. They make a couple of bad mistakes we score on a passed ball early and it just kind of opened the door for us. We just took advantage of what we could.”

Troy freshman Cori Mittlebrun came through with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth for the game-tying and game-winning runs. Lynsey Mukomel led off the frame with a double and moved over to third on Laney Hart’s single to set the table for Mittlebrun.

Romeo (25-6), the MAC Red Division champs, jumped on Troy starter Kristen Krajenta in the first inning, stringing together five hits and two runs. Rachel Gabrielson hammered an RBI triple and Shanyn McIntyre laced an RBI double for a 2-0 lead after one frame.

In the third inning, Melissa Staelgrave added a RBI single to push the lead to 3-0.

The Bulldogs’ offense stalled after that point.

Mittlebrun did not allowed a hit over the final four innings and only issued a sixth-inning walk to Victoria Shaddock. Mittlebrun gained the win from the circle, going six innings with three hits, a walk and only five base runners total.

Troy did something that no other team could do all season — hand Romeo freshman pitcher Taylor Weaver a loss. Weaver finished the season 23-1.

Troy plated a run in the bottom of the third, as Krajenta singled and later scored on a double by Kamryn LaCarter.

The Colts continued to pluck away at Romeo’s lead in the fifth. Krajenta again belted a double, moved to third on a sac bunt and crossed the plate on a passed ball.

“It’s unbelievable,” smiled Calnen. “We brought a freshman in and she pretty much shut them down (over six innings) and we were able to score some runs and beat a very good Romeo team. Their pitcher hadn’t lost all season.”

Mittlebrun said that the underdog role helped Troy against one of the state’s top teams.

“I was nervous but I think I was more anxious,” sighed Mittlebrun, who won a district crown the previous weekend as a pitcher. “Every kid dreams of being here.

“I think that helped us play harder,” she added. “We pushed ourselves all season, worked hard all year long. This is what we came here for.”

TROY 3, WATERFORD KETTERING 2: Troy cashed in three paychecks in the bottom of the sixth and rallied for the win in Saturday’s second regional semifinal.

With two outs and two on, Troy scored two runs when Cori Mittlebrun’s high chopper defected off Kettering second baseman’s shoulder and into right field. Jessie Pappas followed with an RBI double for the go-ahead run.

Kettering grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Lindsay Postal and Jamie Monville singles and Postal later scored on a wild pitch. The Captains (17-21) added a run in the third when Sarah O’Connor walked and plated on Emily Root’s single to left.

Kristen Krajenta went seven innings to gain the win for Troy, while Mackenzie Norton took the loss for Kettering.

ROMEO 2, HARTLAND 0: Taylor Weaver pitched seven innings, striking out 11, scattering five hits and no walks.

Romeo scored both runs in the third inning, as Alexandra Szajna and Taylor Waters singled and Rachael Gabrielson cleared the bases with a two-run triple to put the Bulldogs in control.

Abbie Minsker took the loss for Hartland, giving up two earned runs with four strikeouts, six hits and two walks.

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