Local Sports: Whiteford softball takes second in Michigan Challenge
CANTON – Whiteford's softball team reached the championship of the 40-team Michigan Challenge Tournament Sunday before falling 13-4 to Gaylord in the finals.
"It was a great weekend for Whiteford softball. We competed against schools in higher divisions for two days,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said. “Our hitters saw some good pitching, and our defenders were forced to make a lot of plays.
“We fought until the end and I'm proud of their efforts. Six games in two days with near ninety-degree temps is a true grit test. Our team handled it well, and our pitchers and catchers Shay Alexander and Kaydence Sheldon were the warriors for our team this weekend."
The Bobcats (27-3) went 3-0 Saturday to win their pool, then blanked Milford 11-0 and Schoolcraft 2-0 to reach the finals.
Gaylord, ranked No. 4 in Division 2, beat Allen Park – the state’s top-ranked team in Division 1 – 8-0 in the semifinals.
Unity Nelson gave up her first three earned runs of the year against Gaylord. Offensively, the Bobcats had runners on in every inning. Nelson, Berlynn Keller, Karlei Conard and Aly VanBrandt all went 2-for-3.
"After watching Gaylord pound the ball in their semifinals against Allen Park, I knew we were in for an offensive battle,” VanBrandt said. “That is the best team we have played, and it was great experience for our pitchers and hitters.”
Nelson and Keller gave up a total of three runs in the first five games while Whiteford scored 55.
Leading hitters for the weekend were Aly VanBrandt (13-for-19), Nelson (9-for-17), Keller (10-for-19) and Anna VanBrandt (7-for-13). Kaydence Sheldon and Keller homered.
PREP SOFTBALL
Summerfield sweeps
JACKSON – Ava Fisher tossed a one-hitter as Summerfield beat Jackson Lumen Christi 13-0 to complete a doubleheader sweep Friday.
The Bulldogs won the first game 14-6 as Abby Sparks went 2-for-2 to support winning pitcher Madison Waterhouse.
PREP TENNIS
Carlson duo wins
WOODHAVEN – Kamryn Bell and Nadia Papalas of Gibraltar Carlson took first place at No. 1 doubles in the Airport Pre-Regional Tournament Saturday.
That helped the Marauders take fourth place. Trenton and Wyandotte Roosevelt tied for first. Monroe was sixth and Airport eighth.
Lila Angelos was second for Carlson at No. 4 singles, and Lauren Spano and Delaney Brown were third at No. 2 doubles.
Monroe’s best finish came from McKenzie Mielke and Bailey Benvenuyp, who lost in the finals at No. 1 doubles. Emma Blazoff was the consolation champion at No. 2 singles.
Airport’s Makayla Ridner placed second at No. 2 singles, Ellie Ferrante was the consolation champ at No. 1 singles and Allison Clegg was fourth at No. 3 singles.
Bedford blanked
TEMPERANCE – Bedford suffered an 8-0 loss to Ann Arbor Pioneer Friday.
JV BASEBALL
Brossia shines
Devin Brossia tossed a shutout with 11 strikeouts as Monroe beat Taylor 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.
Lucas Bird-Meyer led the offense with a pair of bunt singles.
The second game ended in a 6-6 tie because of a time limit. Garret Gottschalk pitched six scoreless innings and Spencer Atwood, Brady Welch and Brandon Bice had two hits each for the 6-14-1 Trojans.
JUNIOR HIGH SOFTBALL
Monroe sweeps Bears
Olivia McMahon and Allisun Fulner threw shutouts as Monroe’s eighth grade beat Jefferson 12-0 and 15-0 Saturday.
Haley Overton led the defense and drove in three runs in the second game.
SOCCER
Bucknor leads Red
Steve Bucknor scored two goals and Andrew and Jason Mullins each added one to lead Red to a 4-1 win over Blue in the Monroe Spring Adult Coed Spring Soccer League at Munson Park Sunday.
Tyler Begley scored for Blue.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: Whiteford softball team takes second in Michigan Challenge
