Algonac softball completes epic comeback, advances to first-ever state semifinal

ADRIAN — Jubilation abruptly turned into disbelief for the Algonac softball team.

The Muskrats gathered at home plate to celebrate what they thought was a go-ahead grand slam by Brianna Thomason in the top of the fifth inning of Tuesday's state quarterfinal.

But instead of a 4-3 lead, they were left in a 3-2 hole. Two of the runs were negated because a baserunner made contact with a teammate before arriving at home.

It was a deflating turn of events. But it wasn't Algonac's defining moment.

"You could tell by their emotions that (our girls) just put it past them," Algonac coach Len Perkins said. "We didn't let that get us down. That's character. That's what it is."

The Muskrats overcame bad breaks and multiple deficits to defeat Grass Lake, 5-4, in a Division 3 quarterfinal at Albion College. They improved to 32-3 and advanced to Friday's state semifinal against Millington at 10 a.m. at Michigan State University.

"We just pulled through as a team," Algonac starting pitcher Kenna Bommarito said. "I don't have words for that (game). It was up and down the whole time."

"I think the biggest thing for us was picking each other up and knowing we're not done," Algonac first baseman Deanna Delange said. "We are a team that does not let down. No matter the challenges, we're going to keep going."

That's exactly what they did after Thomason's grand slam was essentially cut in half.

"It was really emotional for a moment," Delange said. "But we looked at each other and said, 'Hey, we can score again. We know we can get through it.' "

"There wasn't much I could say," Perkins said. "We had made a mistake, that much I could say. So I guess the softball gods are liking us because of the way we came back."

Bommarito, who pitched all seven innings for Algonac, gave herself some run support and tied the game on a two-out RBI single in the sixth.

But Grass Lake regained the lead on a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. Suddenly, the Muskrats had just three outs left to save their season.

It looked bleak early in the seventh after the Warriors retired the first two batters. Algonac was down to its last strike when Thomason hit a double off the right-field wall.

The Muskrats' next two batters were each hit by a pitch. That loaded the bases as Delange walked to the plate.

"I was really, really nervous," Delange said. "I just wanted to scream. But I stuck my bat out and knew I had to do it."

She drilled a single to right field that scored two runs and gave Algonac its first lead of the game, 5-4.

"After I hit that I was so happy," Delange said. "I had no words. I don't even know how to explain it."

Now the Muskrats had their turn to seal it in the seventh. And the pressure shifted to Bommarito.

After she recorded the first out with ease, Grass Lake threatened with a pair of singles.

"It was very emotional," Bommarito said. "But I knew that my team was going to back me up and be there for me."

The sophomore stopped the Warriors in their tracks. A flyout to center field and a groundout to short ended the thrilling classic. Algonac's dugout emptied and the team embraced at first base.

"I'm just happy for the girls," Perkins said. "They didn't quit. They had that grand slam taken away with two runs on it. But they fought back."

And the Muskrats lived to fight another day. Their historic run will continue on Friday for the program's first-ever appearance in a state quarterfinal.

"It's tough to win this thing," Perkins said. "There are a lot of good teams. But we'll be ready for Friday and see what we can do."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac softball completes epic comeback, advances to state semifinal