Kovtun, Inland Lakes shut out Rogers City, capture district title

ROGERS CITY – When one of your best players isn't present, it would be easy to make excuses.

But that's not what the Inland Lakes softball team is about.

For the Bulldogs, it was all about finding a way.

On Saturday – despite being without senior star Natalie Wandrie, who was competing at the track and field state finals – the Bulldogs delivered something spectacular by pulling off a 3-0 championship victory over host Rogers City and capturing a second consecutive MHSAA Division 4 district title.

"The girls played an incredible two games today," said Inland Lakes coach Krissi Thompson. "Onaway gave us a run for our money, but the girls prevailed and kicked butt. It was pretty cool. Actually, (Wandrie's absence) played quite a role in fueling the fire. (Our players) were hearing word of people getting excited, talking about how the Bulldogs don't stand a chance without Natalie, this, that and the other, and that kind of didn't sit well with them."

After earning a 9-7 victory over Onaway in a semifinal, the Bulldogs (23-8) set up a championship showdown with the No. 6-ranked Hurons, who cruised to a 13-1 win over Posen in the morning.

I-L sophomore Lexi Kovtun came up with the best pitching performance of her young career, tossing a seven-inning shutout with 10 strikeouts, two walks and just one hit allowed against a powerful Rogers City lineup.

"Honestly, she just said she felt good about the day and just went to work and did her job," Thompson said of Kovtun's dominant display. "She knew her team was counting on her."

At the plate, senior Ryann Clancy blasted a home run to give the Bulldogs the lead, while fellow senior Caitlin Jones connected on a two-run shot in the seventh inning to provide Inland Lakes with two crucial insurance runs and push the advantage to 3-0. Jones also ripped a double. Brooklyn LaBrecque and Kovtun each chipped in with a single.

"I was beyond proud of them," Thompson said. "They played spot on the entire championship game. Everybody did their job and that's what we talked about. It's about the team. It's not about one person. It's a family, and if one family member is not there for some reason, next in line. Somebody steps up.

"We love how they’ve come together at the end of the season. They’re playing like a well-oiled machine. We’re extremely proud of them."

The win sends the Bulldogs to the regional semifinals for a 1 p.m. clash against Johannesburg-Lewiston in Rudyard on Saturday, June 10. The Bulldogs and Cardinals split a doubleheader earlier this season and shared the Ski Valley Conference crown.

Before the Bulldogs faced the Hurons, they had to get through a scrappy Onaway team in the semis. Leading the way with a double, three singles and an RBI was LaBrecque, while Eva Carper and Jones each had two doubles and a single. Jenna Stubbs, Clancy and Kovtun added two singles each. Maggie Grant and Alexis Langworthy both singled.

Grant earned the win on the mound, striking out six, scattering five hits and walking five in seven innings.

"In game one, Maggie was outstanding on the mound," Thompson said. "She threw a great game against Onaway. They hit her, but our defense had her back. Both (pitchers) were spot on today. They played really, really great."

Cardinals battle Inland Lakes, but fall just short in semis

Giving the Bulldogs a run for their money in the semifinals were the Cardinals, who had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. However, the Cardinals couldn't tie the game and fell just short of an upset.

Ema DeMaestri blasted a three-run homer for the Cardinals (11-16), who received a double, a single, three RBI and a run scored from Kenzie Robbins, a double, a single, an RBI and two runs scored from Marley Szymoniak, two singles from Kailyn George, a double and a run scored from Sydney Peel, and a double from Lily Parr. Aubrey Benson scored two runs.

Peel took the loss on the mound, striking out three and walking one.

"It was a tough season with Mother Nature and games getting cancelled," said Onaway coach Lonny Metty. "We had times where we had long breaks between games. It's tough to play consistently when you have those breaks, especially with a young team. But when you think of when we played Indian River our first doubleheader, losing 20-0, to playing them our last game of the season and having a chance to win with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, it just shows how much we were able to grow throughout the season.

"I am very proud of the way the girls played and am looking forward to a great season next year. We have nine of our 11 players returning and adding some younger talent coming up. Our future is bright."

Metty praised his players and the fight they put up against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

"Sadie Decker played a solid second base, resulting in seven putouts," Metty said. "Kenzie Robbins caught a fly ball for an out, a great relay to Charlotte Box to Lily Parr to get the tagout, and a fantastic throw to Ema DeMaestri, our catcher, to get the tagout at home. (Outfielders) Kailyn George and Marley Szymoniak added a few great catches for us, also. Sydney Peel pitched a tough game and showed her toughness by taking a hard line drive to her leg and sticking with it to get the out."

It was the final game in the high school careers of Robbins and Benson, Onaway's two seniors. Robbins will continue her softball career at Aquinas College next season.