Left no doubt: Gaylord softball state title repeat cements legacy among Michigan greats

EAST LANSING — Last year, it was "Mission accomplished." This year, it was, "Leave no doubt."

The 2023 Gaylord softball team was out to achieve a dream it had since playing its first games together over 10 years ago and accomplished that task, winning the program's first state championship last June.

Coming into 2024 with a mountain of expectations and a target on its back, the team's goal was different. Sure, coming home with another MHSAA Division 2 state title was the main thing on their mind but, maybe more importantly, the Blue Devils wanted to leave no doubt about who the best softball team in Michigan is – and has been the past two years.

After coasting to the final game of the D2 bracket, it took an extra-inning thriller for the Blue Devils to again get past Vicksburg. But, as Gaylord has done for two years, it came through, scoring the winning run in the top of the eighth to secure a second-straight state championship victory, imprinting its legacy on the MHSAA softball record books.

"It's been a battle. I mean, it has been a grind," said senior Jayden Jones. "A lot of people doubted us. A lot of people didn't want us to win. We proved a lot of people wrong."

Postgame: Gaylord softball wins back-to-back state titles, ties single-season HR record

Semifinals: How Gaylord put themselves one win away from another softball state championship

Gaylord faces rare dramatic finish

The playoffs had been without drama for the Blue Devils, up until the final game.

Outside of a collision and a bee sting during an 18-1 quarterfinal win over Muskegon Oakridge, Gaylord hadn't faced adversity. Their closest postseason game was a 9-1 victory over Essexville Garber in the regional semifinals.

It seemed like they might be on their way to another runaway victory after scoring one run in each of the first two innings, but the Gaylord bats went cold as Bulldogs' pitcher Delaney Monroe put together a great performance against an elite offense.

"We knew that Vicksburg was going to be ready for us and their pitcher was great today," said coach Ron Moeggeneberg. "She pitched really well, kept us off balance."

Still, as GHS took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh with ace pitcher Aubrey Jones cruising, it seemed like Gaylord would escape. However, down to their final strike, Vicksburg rallied: A single from Central Michigan-commit Maddison Diekman, a single from Emily Zemitans and a throwing error let the Bulldogs score the tying run.

The pressure was now back on a historically good Gaylord offense to score and give Jones one more chance to finish off the game. The heart of their lineup delivered.

A single from senior Alexis Shepherd, followed by a single from Jayden Jones, created the winning run. With another chance to finish it off in the circle, Aubrey Jones wasn't going to waste it, pitching a 1-2-3 final inning.

"Our goal was to go out on top one more time, and we accomplished that goal," said Aubrey Jones.

Making up for lost time, Jones plays hero one final time

On a loaded roster with plenty of talented players, it was fitting for senior Jayden Jones to play the hero role one final time.

Perhaps no one has been more influential on Gaylord's success these past four years than the Virginia Tech signee, earning all-state honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior all while having one of the team's main leadership roles since her first season.

However, Jones didn't get the chance to play her part during last year's state title run, missing the postseason with a fractured hand.

Playing in these games was something she focused on all season, so with the tying run on first, there was no better person to be at the plate.

"I really was trying to do anything I could for my team, it didn't matter what it was. I was just trying to find a way on base, trying to fight and compete as much as I could to get the job done," said Jones. "I was not going home not number one."

Experiencing that first state championship in 2023 was a memory in itself, but playing her part in this year's state title in her final game with a team she's played with for so long made this moment extra special for the senior.

"It was a lot of work having to come back, just having to trust myself being in big moments," said Jones. "It's been a minute, I haven't been on that field in two years. But like I said, it's always fun with my girls and I knew they had my back."

Record-breaking offense leaving a lasting legacy on MHSAA softball

Gaylord's dominance may not be over, even with six college-bound seniors leaving the roster. The Blue Devils have enough talent coming back in 2025 to be one of the best teams in Division 2 again.

Regardless, the two-year stretch they just completed will be remembered as one of the most impressive feats in Michigan softball history.

The 2024 Blue Devils matched the state home-run record they set in 2023, finishing with 72. Gaylord finished 2024 with a 38-4 record, giving it a two-year overall record of 77-6, scoring 953 runs along the way. The Class of 2024 leaves the GHS trophy cases filled to the brim with four Big North Conference championships, four district championships, three regional championships and, now, two state championships.

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: How Gaylord softball repeats as MHSAA D2 state champions