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MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by: Baker Ford Ludington, Fresh Coast Foam, Mission Graphics, Quick-Way, Inc., Smith & Eddy Insurance and Michelle and Andrew Thomas.
Editor’s Note: Mason County Press has made several attempts to request results this spring season from Mason County Eastern but has not had success. It is important to us to cover events at all the local schools, but can only publish the information we receive. Therefore, we are only publishing the information as presented to us by Mason County Central.
CUSTER — The Mason County Central junior varsity softball team dropped both games Saturday at the Mason County Eastern Varsity Tournament, falling to host MCE 5-4 in eight innings before losing to Onekama 19-4.
Despite the losses, Spartans coach Jeanne Miller praised the opportunity for her young team to compete against strong opponents.
“I’m happy the girls were able to participate in this tournament,” Miller said. “Thank you to MCE for allowing us. It was good for us to see what’s out there and to give us a drive to work harder to get better.”
MCC opened the day with a hard-fought extra-inning loss to Mason County Eastern.
Avery Miller turned in a dominant performance in the circle for the Spartans, pitching all eight innings while allowing just three hits and three walks. She struck out 18 batters and did not allow an earned run.
“Avery had an amazing outing on the mound,” Coach Miller said. “Eighteen strikeouts is remarkable.”
At the plate, Miller had a hit, a walk, two stolen bases and scored twice. Anya Shatova collected two hits, stole two bases, drove in a run and scored once. Cerka added a hit, an RBI and scored a run, while Serenity Nead also had a hit.
The Spartans were hurt by six errors and costly baserunning mistakes in key situations.
In the second game, MCC fell to Onekama 19-4.
Avery Miller pitched three innings, allowing six hits, five walks and five earned runs while striking out three and hitting one batter. Brooke Hawke worked two innings in relief, giving up three hits, four walks and three earned runs while striking out one and hitting one batter.
Offensively, Miller had a hit, a walk and scored a run. Shatova drew a walk, laid down a sacrifice bunt and scored once. Cerka doubled and drove in a run, while Hawke added a hit and an RBI. Ashley DeLeon reached base with a walk and hit-by-pitch and scored a run. Kathryn Vinton collected two hits, drove in a run and scored twice.
“Attitude and effort took us out of this game in the first three innings,” Coach Miller said. “We have to get better mentally and know that we have to play better teams in order to learn and get better. This game based on earned runs should have been an 8-2 loss. That’s a little easier to handle.”
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Baker Ford Ludington, 3045 W. US 10-31, Ludington, 888-856-9116, bakerfordludington.com
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Mission Graphics, 113 S. Blaine St., Scottville, 231-845-7030, mymission.graphics
Quick-Way, Inc., 1004 Conrad Industrial Dr., Ludington, 231-845-6520, qkwa.net
Smith & Eddy Insurance, serving west Michigan since 1902, 231-757-4743, smith-eddy.com
Michelle and Andrew Thomas
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