Algonac softball repeats as regional champions, will return to state quarterfinal
A year ago, the Algonac softball team had never been in this position before.
But now the Muskrats understand the process. And they're showing everybody what they've learned.
Algonac conquered Wixom St. Catherine, 7-1, in a Division 3 regional final at St. Catherine of Siena Academy on Saturday.
Kenna Bommarito pitched all seven innings and rolled up 18 strikeouts for the Muskrats, who improved to 35-4 and advanced to Tuesday's state quarterfinal against Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
"We just chipped away, which is something that we don't always do" said Algonac coach Natalie Heim, whose team won its second straight regional championship. "We tend to either score a bunch in the first inning or wait until the very end of the game. But against (St. Catherine), we got a few runs each inning."
The Muskrats scored in every inning except the fourth on Saturday. Their nine hits came from six different players, three of which had two hits in Bommarito, Ella Stephenson and Deanna DeLange.
"Anybody (in our lineup) can really get a hit at any time," Heim said. "That's what makes us such a threat."
Algonac's regional crown marks the third championship it's won this year, following district and BWAC titles.
"We set those goals at the beginning of the season," Heim said. "But we've also focused day-by-day to not have those goals turn into something bigger than they are. I don't think these girls put a ton of pressure on themselves. It's normal to be a little nervous or anxious, but they're always having fun. And I think that's helped us out a lot."
Tuesday's quarterfinal against Whiteford will be held at Gary L. Bryce Field on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit. First pitch is 4:30 p.m.
It'll be the second meeting of the season between these two teams. The Muskrats won the previous matchup, 4-0, back on May 6.
"They did not pitcher their ace (that game)," Heim said. "They're similar to us as far as having an ace on the mound. She has high velocity, can throw it in the mid 60s and has a lot of movement on her pitches.
"I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that we've faced them already. At this point in the season, teams are playing so different than they were earlier in the season. We're a lot different. And I'm sure they're a lot different."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac softball repeats as regional champs, returns to quarterfinal
