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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.
MANISTEE — The Ludington Orioles varsity softball team earned a Western Michigan Conference Lakes Division doubleheader sweep over Manistee Thursday night, winning by scores of 20-1 and 24-6 in mercy-shortened contests.
Madison VanSickle pitched all three innings in game one for Ludington Coach Sierra Holmes’ Orioles. She allowed one hit while striking out four.
The Orioles’ offense erupted from the start. Madelyn Kenyon went 3-for-3 with a double, a triple and four RBI. VanSickle and Noelle Brooks each finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Eva Flores added a triple and an RBI, while Jacee Cole doubled and Annika Heemstra drove in two runs.
In game two, Heemstra started in the circle and pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits while striking out three. VanSickle threw the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits and striking out one as the Orioles secured another mercy-rule victory.
Flores led the offensive charge in the nightcap, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam and five RBI. Heemstra was 3-for-3 with a triple and four RBI, while Charlie Morse finished 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI. Kaelyn Cole went 2-for-3 with three RBI, VanSickle was 2-for-2 with an RBI, and Jacee Cole added a triple and two RBI.
“This was a good night for us,” Holmes said. “We hit the ball hard throughout the order, and Eva’s grand slam was definitely a highlight of the doubleheader. She hit it solidly over the center field fence, and it was her first out-of-the-park home run.
“Manistee’s girls are hard workers, and they did put the ball in play at times. Fortunately, our pitchers kept them in check and did a great job limiting the hits. I was especially proud of how we came from behind after giving up some runs early in the second game and secured a decisive win.”
Ludington improved to 9-15 overall and 2-4 in the WMC Lakes Division.
Thank you to the following businesses who make reporting of local sports, like this story, possible:
MCP/OCP Sports Coverage is presented by:
Baker Ford Ludington, 3045 W. US 10-31, Ludington, 888-856-9116, bakerfordludington.com
Fresh Coast Foam, 7440 W. 5 Mile Rd., Irons; 231-510-9513, www.freshcoastfoam.com
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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