With a step up in competition came a reversal of fortune for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. Two days after the HMS had one-hit Sibley-Ocheyedan 8-0 in five innings, the Hawks were on the receiving end of an 8-0 loss to West Lyon under similar circumstances. HMS was held to one hit and the Wildcats scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to end the Class 2A Region 3 quarterfinal played July 9 at Larchwood.
“Tonight was a tough one,” said Hawk head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “The girls couldn’t turn the bats on. They were aggressively swinging and didn’t quit. They fought all game to try and hit and keep themselves in the game, it just wasn’t our night to hit.”
Pitcher Gracie Knobloch allowed eight hits to a high-powered West Lyon team which was rated third in the final softball rankings. She struck out five batters, walked one and hit two. All eight of the Lions’ runs were earned. The big inning for the Lions was the second where they scored four runs. The stats showed no errors for either team.
“We played good defense and Gracie pitched well,” said Bronstad. Knobloch also had the only hit for the Hawks. She singled to lead off the fifth inning. Knobloch was in fact the lone HMS baserunner. West Lyon’s ace pitcher Jersey Hawf struck out nine, all swinging.
Playing their last game for the Hawks were seniors Kamryn Ebel, Frankie Mohni, Addison Sheeler, Eliza Tewes and Knobloch.
“It is always hard to see a season come to an end when you love the sport so much and have great players graduating,” acknowledged Bronstad. “We will miss the seniors and the team has big shoes to fill. Offseason work will continue this winter and we look forward to seeing what next summer brings.”
HMS 0 0 0 0 0 – 0
W. Lyon 0 4 2 1 1 – 8