SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
Huron Valley Lakeland’s Madison Burgess attempts to lay down a bunt in the Eagles’ Division 1 state quarter-final game against Sterling Heights Stevenson on Tuesday, June 12. Burgess hit a perfect 4-for-4 and scored two runs as Lakeland defeated the Titans, 5-4, to advance to the state semi-finals, where it would fall to defending Division 1 champion Mattawan. (Spinal Column Newsweekly photo/Amy K. Lockard)
Eagles’ comeback thwarted Lakeland ‘gave everything,’ but couldn’t top Mattawan, 5-4 By Michael Shelton staff Writer
Huron Valley Lakeland fought hard all season to reach the state’s final four, where they ran into a team that was just a little better: The defending state champions. The Eagles fell to Mattawan, 5-4, in a Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 1 state semi-final at Bailey Park in Battle
Creek on Friday, June 15, ending what was a tremendous season for the Lakeland softball program. “This was one of my all-time favorite teams,” said Lakeland Head Coach Joe Alsup. “They gave everything on the field, they worked together as a group, and sacrificed a lot for each other.” Lakeland (36-7) came into the game looking to advance to its sixth state final and first since 2010 for a shot at its first
state championship. But Mattawan hoisted the state final trophy last year and showed its champi-
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onship mettle early as Abby Stoner hit a 2-run home run to right center field in the bottom of the first inning against
Eagles’ ace Selena Hicks for a 2-0 lead. The Wildcats (33-11) struck again in the bottom of the third inning with three runs off an RBI single by Stacey Thompson and a 2-run double by Emily McCarty to take a commanding 5-0 lead. The Eagles would finally get on the board in the top of the fourth inning with three runs off an RBI fielder’s PAGE 42 ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯