Kessel dominates in semifinal win, Cardinals fall in district championship

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HOLTON — Mason County Eastern advanced to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 District 109 championship game Friday with a 3-2 semifinal victory over Hesperia before falling 10-0 to host Holton in the district final.

Senior pitcher Miley Kessel dominated in the semifinal, striking out 16 batters while allowing one hit and two runs over seven innings.

The Cardinals and Panthers were locked in a scoreless battle until the sixth inning when Mason County Eastern broke through. Kessel started the rally with a bunt single down the third-base line. Bryanna Hasenbank followed with a bunt and reached on an error, moving Kessel to third.

Bridget Whitaker delivered an RBI single to score Kessel. Anna Story later added a run-scoring hit, and Brailyn Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home another run as the Cardinals built a 3-0 lead.

Hesperia scored twice in the seventh, but Kessel closed out the victory.

Whitaker, Kessel, Johnson and Story each had one hit for Mason County Eastern. Hasenbank stole two bases.

Bolles drove in a run for Hesperia and finished 1-for-3. Gernard drew three walks.

“It was a tight game up until the sixth inning,” Cardinals coach Jenn Whitaker said. “We were hitting the ball but not enough to get runners into position to score. On the other hand, the defense left Hesperia on the bases at the end of innings. Hesperia had some good hits that we were able to steal from them.”

The Cardinals also received key defensive plays, including a running catch by Emma Whitaker in deep left-center field and a line-drive grab by shortstop Bridget Whitaker that ended the third inning with a runner stranded at third base.

In the championship game, Mason County Eastern could not keep pace with Holton, which claimed the district title with a 10-0 victory.

Holton opened the scoring in the second inning when Sampson drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. The Red Devils broke the game open in the third, scoring five runs. Mullins delivered a two-run single, while two Cardinal errors led to three additional runs.

Jefferies earned the win for Holton, allowing one hit over five innings while striking out 11 and walking none.

Kessel took the loss for Mason County Eastern, allowing six runs, two earned, on three hits over three innings. She struck out six and walked seven. Alice Shoup pitched in relief, striking out one while allowing two hits and two walks.

Remington Smith led the Cardinals offensively, going 1-for-2 with a double. She also reached second base on a right-field error.

Vallejo, Jefferies, Barkley, Mullins and Bourdo each collected a hit for Holton.

“The girls came to play ball today,” Whitaker said. “A few errors with runners on base took us out of the game with Holton.”

Whitaker also credited Bridget Whitaker, Kessel, Emma Whitaker, Shoup, Riley Byrnelsen, Hasenbank and Story for their defensive efforts.

“I am looking forward to building from here next season,” Whitaker said. “We will miss our senior Miley Kessel on the mound, but she is leaving behind some good talent.”

The Cardinals’ season ended with a berth in the district championship game and a strong postseason run led by Kessel’s standout performance in the semifinal.