It was a day of long balls and big momentum swings in the Monroe County Region, as New Boston Huron's softball team showed off its pop in a commanding 12-2 win over Jefferson on May 13.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning on a two-run homer by Jefferson's Emily Grube, the Chiefs wasted no time responding. Madison Kuzara reached base to start the bottom half, and Addison Ramsby followed by crushing a ball over the left-center field fence—nearly the same spot Grube's blast landed. The quick answer was exactly what Huron needed.
"That built the confidence," said Huron coach Tedi Belisle. "We for sure were not happy about that start. To tie it up in the next inning gave us momentum."
With the wind blowing out to left field helping hitters on both sides, Huron kept swinging. A two-run homer from Pender—her first of the season—put the Chiefs in control for good. Catherine Shore and Maya Martindale each finished 3-for-3, while Pender and Miranda Laho added two hits apiece.
"We're not a super powerhouse, but we have some home run power," Belisle added.
Elsewhere in the region, Grant Pfeiffer of Ida recorded two hits in each game of a doubleheader sweep over Hillsdale (12-2, 14-3), pushing the Blue Streaks to 19-6 overall and 14-3 in the Lenawee County Athletic Association. Hunter Hemelgarn and Owen Snyder earned the pitching wins.
Dundee's Angelo Graves went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a 5-4 loss to Onsted. The Vikings dropped the first game 5-2, with Travyn Vajcner collecting their only hit.
On the softball diamond, Madison Cousino of Dundee scored seven runs, collected four hits, and stole three bases in a 9-0, 12-7 sweep of Onsted—giving the Vikings (4-16-1) their first two Lenawee County Athletic Association wins of the season. Ella Rath and Annalyse Lay each finished with five hits, while Addison Cusac and Lay earned the pitching wins. Lydia Homrich, Abby Marek, Brynn Cusac, and Juliet Rouse also contributed offensively.
Ida's Alli Schrader sparked an 8-4, 13-1 sweep of Hillsdale by going 5-for-6 with five runs scored. Adisyn Swiderski went 3-for-3, and Emily Lambert added a 2-for-3 performance in the second game.