Traverse City Record-Eagle

Softball

June 13, 2010

Gladiators win regionals; Charlevoix, Kalkaska fall

From Staff Reports ----

LAKE LEELANAU — St. Francis will return to Traverse City for the Division 4 state softball quarterfinals after winning the regional at Lake Leelanau St. Mary's.

The Gladiators will play Onaway on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Traverse City West.

St. Francis (29-11) defeated Forest Area 6-1 in the regional final, following a 16-5 win over Bellaire in the semifinal.

Bailey Johnson struck out nine and tossed a two-hitter in the title game. Ellen Kendziorski, Sarah Brunner and Colleen Roody each had two hits, while Brunner and Johnson each drove in two runs. Catcher Emily Buckel made a diving catch in foul territory and converted the effort into a double play.

Against Bellaire, Emily Walters was the winning pitcher. Roddy, Kendziorski and Walters each had three hits as the Glads belted out 11 hits in a 10-run second inning.

Buckel, Brunner, Roddy, Maggie Esler, Lissa Stachnik and Kendziorski each drove in a pair of runs and Kaitlyn Bussell was credited with strong defense.

RAYDERS, BLAZERS FALL IN REGIONAL: The season ended in the semifinals for the Kalkaska and Charlevoix softball teams in Saturday's Division 3 regional tournament at Mancelona. The Blazers lost 3-1 to Tawas and Charlevoix was beaten by defending state champion Gladstone 10-0.

Kalkaska suffered a tough defeat to the Braves. The game was tied 1-1 in the top of the fifth when the Blazers made two throwing errors on the same play to allow two Tawas runs to score.

Kalkaska finished with a 31-8 mark, setting a record for wins in a season.

Charlevoix (22-11-1) fell behind early to Gladstone and couldn't climb out of the hole against the Braves' dominating pitcher Mackenzie Shepeck.

Gladstone went on to beat Tawas 10-0 in the title game.

— Compiled by James Cook and Mike Dunn

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