As a surprise playoff run ends, optimism remains for Imlay City softball
BEVERLY HILLS — The Imlay City softball team had finally found a rhythm in recent weeks. It wasn't flawless a stretch, but it did enough to turn a corner.
Then came the roadblock.
The Spartans were stymied by Detroit Country Day, 7-1, in a Division 2 regional semifinal at Blue & Gold Club Stadium on Saturday morning. They finished the season at 13-20.
"(Our girls) showed a lot of heart," Imlay City coach Jean Bannister said. "They didn't give up. They worked hard all season and played through a lot of adversity. The team you saw on the field today is basically the team we've had the last two weeks — we're finally healthy again."
It was an arduous journey for the Spartans to get here. They endured multiple injuries, a seven-game losing streak and a roster with little experience. But Imlay City kept plugging away, particularly under the guidance of senior Jaya Forti and junior Natalie Stone.
"They're two of our most veteran players," Bannister said. "They embraced the younger kids and showed a lot of patience. Both have a high softball IQ and a lot of knowledge. Those two are key."
It was Forti who scored the game's first run off a throwing error by Country Day. That gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Yellowjackets answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the first. Then after two scoreless innings, Country Day blew it open with four runs on five hits in the fourth.
"We had a bad inning and they capitalized on it," Bannister said. "That's basically what it was."
Imlay City rarely threatened from that point on. The Yellowjackets added two more runs in the sixth to finish the scoring.
The loss marked the end of a rollercoaster season for the Spartans, which included plenty of struggles but also saw their second district championship in as many years.
But now the expectations will rise as Imlay City aims to take the next step.
"Winning the district title was solid," Bannister said. "This is the second year in a row that we've dropped the first game of the regional (tournament). What they have to get used to is at regionals, we're not done yet. Don't be afraid of being here.
"They have to start approaching the regional just like they're approaching the district — expecting to win. That's the takeaway we want with this season."
Eleven players are returning in 2023, including Stone. Speaking of next season, it's roughly eight months away. But Bannister isn't wasting any time.
"I'm already looking at the eighth-graders coming into the high school," Bannister said. "We've got to work on our pitching a little bit. But I'm really looking forward to next season and getting to work with these kids again."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: As a surprise playoff run ends, optimism remains for Imlay City
