Mendon softball finds itself in a familiar place — a fourth straight quarterfinal
· Yahoo Sports
MENDON — The Mendon softball program made a little history on Saturday afternoon.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.com for more information.
In picking up come from behind wins over Bridgman and Gobles, the Hornets secured their fourth consecutive regional championship. No team in school history has qualified for four straight quarterfinals appearances, but this year's senior group can now add that to their list of accomplishments. They've also piled up 137 wins in the four years.
"They don't ever get old. It's a big accomplishment. You know, this school has been around for a long time and if you look out in the outfield and see those banners, this is the first time we've ever won four in a row," Mendon co-coach Steve Butler said as he looked out into center field Saturday afternoon.
Mendon was up against it. Twice. But in typical Mendon fashion, the Hornets knew the challenge would not be too big. Mendon won games over Bridgman 6-3 and Gobles 6-5 despite trailing in both.
"We never quit. We're down and it's OK," senior pitcher Rowan Allen said. "This group is tough."
Bridgman led Mendon 3-0 heading into the top of the seventh inning in the first game. The Hornets had struggled to be able to put a runner across the plate despite having opportunities, it just wasn't working.
But before the team's final three outs expired, Mendon's resolve came into play. Maddie Rodgers earned a one-out walk before Brynley Jungers was hit by a pitch. Brooke Gerth then walked as well to load the bases for the top of the order coming.
"When you get walks, you get people on base, good things can happen," Mendon senior Jadyn Samson said.
Samson would ground into a fielder's choice in the next at-bat, giving the Hornets two outs in the inning. She would take second base on the ensuing pitch and then Allen belted a single which scored two to knot the game 3-3.
The game moved into the ninth. And again, Mendon found itself with two outs and a runner on second. Taya Bingaman hit a single that scored Gerth, then Cienna Nightingale doubled in a run. The Hornets would add another late in the frame to take a 6-3 edge.
"When it comes to nerves, you just have to push them away and not let it bother you," Nightingale said. "Get over it and play through it."
Bridgman had two runners on in the home half of the ninth, but would not score.
"They're in it all the time," Butler said. "It's that top of the order. They're like the Four Horsemen. When they're up and they're on and they're hitting, they do a lot of damage."
In the regional final against Gobles, Mendon scored two runs in the top of the first, but quickly found itself down 5-2 entering the third. The Hornets would put two across in the third and fourth innings, leading 6-5.
Allen then settled in and put up zeroes for the rest of the contest.
"We just had to push through it and we were able to do it again. I knew I had a job to do," Allen said. "I kept turning around, take a second for myself. I knew I had to believe in my skills and trust the hard work I've put in."
Allen was struck hard by a line drive against Gobles that knocked her flat. After a couple of moments, she shook it off and went right back to work.
"Stud. Stud. Tweaked her knee in practice. To come out today, throw 297 pitches in two games, takes a line drive off the chest, she's just tough," Butler said of Allen. "She's just been in a lot of big games and came through a lot."
Allen struck out 20 combined hitters in the two games. When it came to the box score for hits, Mendon did not blow away the competition, but had a lot of loud outs and hit plenty of balls right at defenders.
Bingaman, Gerth and Sabrina Monroy each collected three hits on the day, Bingaman drove in four. Nightingale, Allen and Samson each registered two hits
So while it might not have been pretty, Mendon dug deep and got it done. Again.
"You know, it's been awesome and something you can't take for granted. Not many people can say they've won four straight regionals," Nightingale said. "But it's a testament to the program, everyone's hard work and drive. That's the standard and that's the goal."
Samson said the seniors are trying their best to lead and teach the underclassmen as much as they can. Saturday was another example of that, where the Hornets found themselves down but knew they weren't out of it.
"At this point, it's expected. As seniors we know how to win, but you have to fight for it, too," she said. "That's why you can't give up. You can never count us out."
Mendon's fourth consecutive quarterfinal appearance is on Tuesday. The Hornets will play Petersburg Summerfield at Bailey Park beginning at 2 p.m. The game will be played at Flannery Field 1.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Mendon Hornets to play in fourth straight state quarterfinals