MCC JV softball tops Pine River twice behind hot bats, aggressive defense

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.

SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central’s junior varsity softball team put together a complete performance Thursday night, sweeping Pine River in a West Michigan D League doubleheader at Spartan Community Field.

The Spartans rolled to a 15-0 win in four innings in Game 1 before following with an 18-4 victory in five innings in the nightcap.

MCC coach Jeanne Miller said the Spartans excelled in every phase of the game.

“We put most all of the pieces together and played two great ball games,” Miller said. “The bats were on fire, the baserunning was aggressive and the defense really stepped up to make plays. Having all cylinders firing at the same time makes a big difference.

“It is so fun to see the ‘aha’ moments, the girls executing and having fun.”

Avery Miller led the Spartans in the opener both in the circle and at the plate. Miller pitched all four innings, allowing one hit while striking out eight and walking five.

Offensively, Miller went 3-for-4 with an inside-the-park home run, two stolen bases, three RBIs and three runs scored.

Lexi Lemire was 3-for-3 with two triples, three RBIs and three runs scored, while Emma Hansen added three hits, a stolen base and two runs scored.

Brielle Cerka contributed two hits, including a triple, while driving in two runs and scoring twice. Ashley DeLeon finished 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored, and Syren Cohoon added two hits, two RBIs and a run scored.

Anya Shatova had a hit, two walks and scored twice, while Brooke Hawke drove in two runs and scored once.

In Game 2, MCC exploded for 18 runs behind another balanced offensive attack.

Brooke Hawke earned the pitching win, tossing all five innings while allowing four hits and no earned runs. She struck out three, walked nine and hit one batter.

DeLeon sparked the offense by going 4-for-4 with six RBIs and three runs scored. Serenity Nead went 3-for-3, was hit by a pitch, scored four runs and stole two bases.

Cerka tripled again, scored twice and added a stolen base, while Hawke helped herself with a single and three RBIs.

Miller singled and drove in two runs while scoring twice, Hansen added an RBI single, and Cohoon singled and scored twice. Lemire scored two runs after drawing three walks.

Miller also praised Lemire’s defensive effort behind the plate.

“Lexi Lemire caught two good games tonight,” Miller said. “She picked five runners off the base paths and was a wall back there. That really helps the momentum of the game.”

The Spartans improved to 11-3 overall and will compete Saturday, May 9, in the Mason County Eastern Varsity Tournament at St. Mary’s Field.