District Champs! Bronson softball wins D3 District crown
UNION CITY, MI. – It is a Good Day to be a Viking! The Bronson Lady Vikings rolled through the competition on Saturday, defeating two Big 8 conference foes on the way to winning the championship of the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) Division Three District 80 Softball tournament.
“I am very proud of the way the girls came out and played all day,” said Bronson head coach Becky Gray. “It was extremely hot, and the girls fought through it and came away with two big wins.”
The first of those wins saw Bronson defeat the Quincy Orioles in a five inning game, winning by the score of 11-0.
Bronson scored early, putting up a single run in the first inning and three in the second to lead 4-0 early. After a scoreless third inning the Vikings put things away with a run in the fourth inning and six in the fifth to find the final score of 11-0.
Bronson was dominant the whole game as the duo of Addison and Ashlynn Harris combined to throw a five inning no-hitter.
Addison Harris secured the win on the mound for Bronson after throwing three innings of no-hit softball with one strikeout. Ashlynn Harris came in to pitch in relief, throwing the final two innings, allowing no hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
Leading the Bronson offense was Ashlynn Harris who finished a perfect 4 for 4 with four singles, four runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base while teammate Brealyn Lasky added a 3 for 4 effort, recording a single, a double and a triple with one run scored and two RBIs.
Also adding to the Viking effort was Kaylee Wilber with a single, two RBIs and a run scored; Haylie Wilson with a single and a run scored; Addison Harris with a triple and an RBI; Lydia Wells with a single and a run scored; Paige Roussey with a single; and Ciara Blankenship with a single, two runs scored and a stolen base.
Danika Skirka took the loss on the mound for Quincy after throwing five innings, allowing 13 hits and 11 runs, 10 earned, with two walks and three strikeouts.
Quincy only had one base runner the whole game as Josie Mescher drew a walk.
With the tough loss the Quincy Orioles finish their season with a very respectable record of 13-16.
With the victory Bronson advanced on to the championship finals to face another familiar face in the Homer Lady Trojans who defeated the Springport Spartans 5-2 in the other semifinal.
Bronson was once again in control, going on to win the district title with a 13-5 win.
Addison Harris secured the win on the mound for Bronson after throwing seven full innings, allowing five runs, two earned, on six hits which included four singles, a double and a home run. Harris also walked three and struck out four.
Leading the way offensively for Bronson was Kaylee Wilber with two singles, one RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base; Addison Harris with two singles and an RBI; Ashlynn Harris with a single and two stolen bases; Brealyn Lasky with a single, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base; Lydia Wells with a double, three RBIs, one run scored, and two stolen bases; and Ciara Blankenship who had a single, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
With the win Bronson improves to 27-13 overall on the season and claims the Division Three District 80 championship. Bronson will now advance on to the regional round of play where they will face Kalamazoo Christian in the semifinals of the Watervliet Regional on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Watervliet High School.
“We will work hard this week to get ready for a very tough regional,” added Gray.