Photo by Daniel Gretzner
Garden City pitcher Rachel Bommarito unleashes a pitch against Utica Ford in Division 1 quarterfinal action at Wayne State University June 11.
A trio of local high school girls softball teams — Allen Park Cabrini, Garden City and Livonia Ladywood — headed for Battle Creek and a date with semifinal foes and possibly state tournament finals this past weekend.
Cabrini dumped Reese 2-0 in a Division 3 quarterfinal game June 11 to get the nod to Battle Creek. The Allen Park parochial preps are 29-5 overall this season and looking for more wins and a possible state title to boot. Hitting stars for Cabrini, as of late, are Abbey Walewsi and Lillian Ranspach.
The Monarchs were scheduled to face Dundee in one semifinal Friday with the winner taking on either Holton or Unionville-Sebawaing Saturday.
Garden City (27-7) knocked off Utica Ford (27-12) 8-6 on June 11 in a Division 1 quarterfinal at Wayne State University.
A late seventh inning rally proved to be difference as junior pitcher Rachel Bommarito worked her magic on the slab, perserving the victory for the Cougars. Kelsie Powell led the offense with timely hits and RBIs.
The Cougars played Bay City Western Friday in the semifinals in Battle Creek with the winner taking on the winner of Mattawan and Romeo Saturday for the state title.
Ladywood beat St. Clair 2-0 in a Division 2 quarterfinal June 11 to advance to the semifinals. Rozlyn Price pitched a strong game while striking out 8 on her way to hurling a 2-hit shutout.
The Blazers (32-9) took on Tecumseh Friday for a berth in the state finals against either Linden or Saginaw Swan Valley.
Having three area teams advance to the final weekend of action definitely is quite an accomplishment in local prep sports.