Turnaround not an overnight option for Petoskey softball, but Tuesday shows promise

PETOSKEY — Why dance around it, there have been some pretty tough moments and stretches for the Petoskey softball team in 2024.

But, tough times create tough players.

That’s certainly the hope of how things will turn out for the Northmen this spring and there’s still plenty of time to turn that hope into results on the field.

They were back with an opportunity that they took full advantage of Tuesday at home, welcoming Cadillac in Big North action, while bringing in a two-game sweep.

Between the two games – wins of 11-5 and 8-5 – Petoskey had just a pair of earned runs, leaning on solid circle play to get it done again. But this time, the bats joined in.

“The big thing is our pitchers have been going out and giving us a chance to win games, we just haven’t followed through defensively or offensively,” Petoskey coach Brad Hasse said. “Today, we were able to do that.

“All three pitchers threw real well over the weekend at Anchor Bay, we just weren’t able to complete the other end of it. We lost to Woodhaven 7-1 and right now Woodhaven is No. 1 in Division 1. We were right in there with them.”

More: Vote for the Petoskey News-Review Athlete of the Week: April 22-27

The two-game sweep was Petoskey’s second of the season, moving them to 5-13 on the year.

It’s been a schedule full of challenges, including Woodhaven, to go along with honorable mentions TC Central and Ogemaw Heights, not to mention a looming matchup with Division 2 No. 1 ranked Gaylord.

Hasse, in his first year after taking over for longtime coach Dave Serafini, knows things weren’t going to be easy from the start.

“For sure, it’s all steps,” he said. “We came into a program with big shoes to fill. Dave was here for 25 plus years and there was always his routine, so we’re changing some things that have been done for 25 years. Sometimes it’s difficult for change, but I think the kids are buying into what we’re trying to do.

“We’re in the second year of our middle school program that had great numbers there again. At the JV level, we’re four kids shy of having two JV teams. That’s always encouraging for the numbers.”

More: Top performers around Emmet, Charlevoix Counties from April 25-28

More: Gaylord softball stars Jayden and Aubrey Jones trying to soak in final season together

What’s also encouraging is how they played Tuesday against Cadillac.

Game 1 came with nine hits, led by a triple and single from Alexis Cadarette, three RBIs from Kristen Shaw and a pair of singles and RBI from Harper Witthoeft.

Sammy Wodek then earned the win over five innings with six strikeouts, then Avery Leist struck out six over two innings.

In Game 2, Katie Hansen went the full seven innings with five strikeouts and just a lone earned run allowed. She also doubled at the plate, while Danyelle Cadarette also doubled.

While a big part of the season is just getting comfortable with a new staff and plan, new teammates and everything else, Hasse is optimistic good things will continue.

“Just hopefully we can finish,” he said. “We’ve got a month left in the season, so we’d like to finish that off strong. Districts, we’re going to be down at Cadillac with Ludington, Cadillac and Gaylord. We’ll have Ludington game one, so that’s the one we’ll focus on.”

Hasse is also happy to have support all around, from parents helping with concessions and the field, to his coaching staff and PHS administration.

“You can’t do this alone,” Hasse added. “From the coaches and administration, they’ve been great and a huge help. We’ve gotten a lot of work done on this field this spring. It all adds into the pride factor for the kids. Having a nice product out here. That’s always an added plus, having that vision of what we want this to be and all working together to accomplish the common goal.”

There’s been bumps in the start of that goal, but that doesn’t mean that’s how things will finish.

Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey softball sweeps Cadillac to close out April, open May on new chapter