Tomia Geter steps up in circle, at the plate to send Grand Ledge to Softball Classic final
LANSING — Grand Ledge ran into some early trouble in its Softball Classic semifinal matchup, surrendering two runs in the first inning without recording an out.
The Comets quickly made a change in the circle, handing the reins to sophomore Tomia Geter.
That decision paid off immensely for Grand Ledge as Geter would surrender just two hits and no runs over seven innings of work, striking out 15 batters en route to a 6-2 win over Fowlerville, putting the Comets in Friday's Softball Classic final.
"It's super exciting. We were doubted last year and to come in here and be recognized and go to the championship, it's truly an honor," Geter said. "My rise ball is my key pitch, and every strikeout just built my confidence up and I trusted everything I was doing."
After falling behind early, Grand Ledge responded right away, scoring two runs in the second inning to level things back up before taking the lead in the fourth.
Then, in a 3-2 game, junior shortstop Gianna Naccarato launched a solo home run in the sixth inning to give Geter some insurance. Two batters later, with a runner on first, Geter gave herself an even bigger cushion, crushing a two-run shot over the right field wall.
"Every single girl came out and showed up and I'm just proud of all of their efforts," Grand Ledge coach Allison Miller said. "(Geter) has been lights out all year and I'm glad she was able to show us again how tenacious she is and how she dominates on the mound. Oh, and she can hit the ball, too."
Grand Ledge (24-8) will face defending Softball Classic champion Leslie (29-5) in the Classic final at 7 p.m. Friday at Ranney Park.
"We just have to keep it simple defensively and at the plate," Miller said. "(Leslie) is a good team. We have to make sure we stay within ourselves and not make the moment too big. We'll be ready."
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Tomia Geter helps Grand Ledge advance to Softball Classic final
