Bulldogs top Cardinals, earn first softball district title since 2018

INDIAN RIVER – Four years without winning a district title doesn’t seem like too long of a drought.

But when you’ve had the sort of success Inland Lakes softball has had over the years, it feels like an eternity.

On Friday, facing the same program they defeated in the final four years ago, the Bulldogs put an end to their drought – and did so in dominating fashion.

Sparked by timely hitting and quality pitching, the Bulldogs captured their first Division 4 district championship since 2018 by hammering rival Onaway in a 16-6 victory at Cooperation Park.

“We knew if the girls showed up today that it would be a great day,” said Inland Lakes coach Krissi Thompson. “Right out of the gate in game one, the girls showed up. We were pretty excited, and Onaway’s always great competition. You can never take them lightly. They always, always bring something good to the dish, so we knew we couldn’t underestimate them.

“Just really proud of the girls.”

The Bulldogs (21-8-1) received a plethora of offensive contributors in the win over the Cardinals, led by freshman Lexi Kovtun, who homered, doubled and drove in a team-high five runs, as well as junior Natalie Wandrie, who smacked a home run, ripped three singles and knocked in two runs. Meanwhile, Megan Vigneau, one of three seniors to win their first softball district title, had two doubles and a single. Freshman Brooklyn LaBrecque also came up big with two singles and two RBI, which helped seal the Inland Lakes win. Alyssa Byrne, another senior, had two singles, while Maggie Grant added two singles and Ryann Clancy singled.

“We have a variety (of contributors), we have a couple from each grade,” Thompson said. “I’m not overloaded or strong with one certain grade right now, so it’s pretty equally split, but the talent I have, it’s phenomenal. The freshmen have brought so much to the table this year. Brooklyn (LaBrecque) has stepped up dramatically, stepped into an outfield position and become a really great batter. Lexi Kovtun as well. She’s throwing great, so I couldn’t be happier. She’s hitting home runs, she’s got a great batting average. They’re really pulling it together and doing great. Overall, just my sophomores and my juniors, Maggie Grant’s throwing great. Just everybody helping out in their own way. We had to sit them down and let them know that they’re responsible for their job at that moment in time and that’s all they need to worry about.

“It was a great team win.”

Kovtun earned the win on the mound, tossing two innings, allowing two hits and walking six. Grant, who came on in relief in the bottom of the third, walked two.

Taylor Larson led the Cardinals with a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Charlotte Box registered a hit, an RBI and scored two runs, while Lainey Shimel added a hit, an RBI and a run scored, and Mackenzie Robbins chipped in with a hit and a run scored. Sydney Peel recorded a hit.

Peel, who took the loss on the mound, struck out three, allowed 15 hits and walked five in 4 1/3 innings thrown.

Emily Van Daele, Inland Lakes’ most experienced senior, finished with two singles and two RBI in a 19-2 semifinal victory over Gaylord St. Mary earlier in the afternoon. Caleigh Jones doubled, singled and drove in three runs, while Caitlin Jones singled and had two RBI, Wandrie hit two doubles, and Clancy, Byrne and Vigneau each singled.

Grant was the winning pitcher for Inland Lakes, striking out one, allowing one hit and walking seven in three innings of work. Claire Feagan pitched one inning in relief, striking out one and walking two.

A strong mindset paid off on Friday for the Bulldogs, who made the most of their recent time away from the field.

“We literally had a full two weeks off with no games prior to districts, so we took a full week off and mentally recharged, got healthy and did everything they needed to do to get ready, and this week they came in and they worked hard,” Thompson said. “They just had such a positive mindset and they were just ready to go.”

As for the three senior Bulldogs, they all got a taste of district glory – and their coach couldn't have been happier to see it.

“It’s super sweet, especially after dealing with the COVID season a few years ago and everything these girls lost over the last couple of years,” Thompson said. “It’s super exciting to see them get the opportunity to get one back.”

The Bulldogs now advance to regionals where they’ll meet Ellsworth in Pellston on Saturday, June 11.

Onaway (17-11) reached the district title game with a 26-1 semifinal victory over Wolverine.

Leading the strong Onaway offensive attack was Shimel, who had three hits, four RBI and three runs scored. Sadie Decker tallied two hits, four RBI and three runs scored, Ema DeMaestri registered two hits and three RBI, Aubrey Benson had two hits, an RBI and four runs scored, Box recorded a hit, two RBI and four runs scored, Robbins helped out with a hit, an RBI and four runs scored, and Lesley Lalonde finished with a hit. Macie Decker scored three runs, and Kyli Brewbaker and Elissa Prow both scored twice.

Shimel was Onaway’s winning pitcher, striking out five, allowing one hit and walking three in three innings.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Inland Lakes softball wins first district title since 2018