Metzger goes deep twice as Lakeview tops Harper Creek to win All-City softball title
BATTLE CREEK — Senior Sarah Metzger hadn’t hit a home run her entire high school career.
And then she hit two in one of the biggest games of the season.
Metzger sent two balls over the fence to help Lakeview defeat Harper Creek in the finals of the annual All-City softball tournament at Bailey Park on Saturday.
Lakeview defeated Harper Creek, 13-5, in the championship game as the Spartans reclaimed the title after losing it to the Beavers a year ago.
Metzger hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning on a ball that bounced out of the outfielder’s mitt and over the fence to give Lakeview a 6-0 lead. In the sixth inning, Metzger added a solo shot for a 10-4 lead for the Spartans.
MORE:
Freshman leads Lakeview to 17th straight All-City girls tennis tourney crown
Harper Creek hurler Wolfersberger holds off Lakeview to win All-City baseball title
“That was great,” Metzger said. “Never hit one before. And to hit two against Harper Creek in this game is something to cherish.”
Lakeview was staked to that early 6-0 lead behind the pitching of Spartan hurler Gia Palma. Harper Creek chipped away with a three-run home run by Avery Clark to cut the advantage to 6-4. However, the Beavers only scored one more run after that off of Palma as the Spartans added on. Lakeview had three runs in the fifth inning and later added three runs in the seventh, highlighted by an RBI double by Marin McCullough, who later stole home for another run.
Lakeview had won four straight city titles before falling short a year ago, so to get the crown back was important for the Spartans.
“The key for us was playing clean. We played clean enough when we had to and made outs when we had to,” Lakeview first-year head coach Jason McCullough said. “Girls have been working hard. They set goals at the start of the year and this was one of their goals. So it was good to see all that hard work pay off. "
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview wins All-City softball crown behind big day from Metzger
