Top-ranked USA sinks Lakers in quarterfinals
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
SAGINAW — Steve Troy felt his softball team had to play perfect Tuesday in order to have a chance against top-ranked Unionville-Sebewaing Area — and for a moment, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes had the Patriots on ropes.
In the end, Unionville-Sebewaing proved too much to overcome, as the 35-2 Patriots eventually prevailed with an 11-5 triumph over the Lakers in a Division 4 state quarterfinal at Saginaw Valley State University.
The Lakers led 2-1 through four innings and, in fact, WOLL was able to accomplish a feat that no other team had been able to do in the postseason — score a run on the Patriots.
The underdog Lakers committed five errors in the contest, which depleted their chances. USA compiled 13 hits in the contest.
“When you look at that scoreboard, what really sticks out is that last column,” said Troy. “Five errors. We haven’t done that all year.
“That team is very good. You have to play very good to give yourself a chance,” added Troy, whose team was making its first quarterfinals appearance in seven seasons. “I thought we were a very good team, too, and we had a very good season. We just didn’t do the things we needed to in order to beat them.”
Meanwhile, USA will play at 11 a.m. Friday in the state semifinals at Battle Creek’s Bailey Park against Rapid River. It marks the sixth straight season that the Patriots will head west to the Cereal City for the state semifinals and they will be seeking their fourth title in six years, as they also captured crowns in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
“We have the team to do it,” offered Larry Houthoofd, USA’s veteran coach, who will be retiring at the end of the season.”I know the kids are excited. They almost (expect) to make it to Battle Creek. Our expectations (are high).”
USA tallied a run in the second for a 1-0 lead, added three in the fifth for a 4-2 advantage, then broke the game open with a seven-run outburst in the sixth, where the Patriots recorded six of their 13 hits.
“If they hit it in the right spots, we could’ve made the plays,” Troy said. “But they hit three home runs. That ball must have looked like a beach ball coming in, because they were taking some big swings. But they’re a good team. If you lose to a team like that, you can’t feel too bad. You really can’t.”
The eighth-ranked Lakers finished 36-5 record, their best in several years.
Jules Mastromatteo was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Hannah Garris added two hits, including a double, scored a run and drove home another for the Lakers. Both had RBI in the fourth to give the Lakers their short-lived lead.
Ashlyn Van Hoost belted a two-run homer in the sixth, one of three Patriots to go yard in the contest. Jessica Gremel and Karlee Schaus also homered for USA.
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Category: Clarkston Everest Catholic, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
