The rain swept in and then West Bloomfield swept out the varsity softball team, as the Maples dropped Friday’s double header to the Lakers 7-1, 8-1.
A sudden burst of thunder caused a 30 minute delay of the first game both teams were given instructions to postpone playing and wait the storm out inside.
“At Friday’s games the team just wasn’t prepared,” Seaholm Varsity Softball Coach Curtis Elgie said. “It was part coaching and part them.”
When the game resumed, the play on the field was deemed too much for the team to handle.
In game one, senior captain Paige Young pitched the first four innings strongly before junior Kelly Buttice took over for the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
The defense and pitching proved not to be the problems for the girls highlighted by senior Mckenzie Hess’ great throw to home plate from right field to get a stealing runner out.
The offense’s low productivity proved to cost the team the game, the team had trouble getting hits in key moments. Many at bats resulted in easy groundouts to short stop and second base.
Game two was an instant replay of game one – timely hits were missing from key at bats.
Buttice pitched all seven innings. Buttice and Young both contributed hits in the second game to put the Maples on the score board.
“We didn’t play to our full potential but we’ll get them back in districts,” freshman catcher Lexi Hamilton said.
At least one player said the twin-bill setback as a missed opportunity.
“We could have beaten that team but we weren’t focused,” freshman centerfielder Meghan Edmonds said. “We need to get prepared to play them in Districts.”
Elgie said the sweep was out of character for this team.
“We’ve beaten Clarkston and Lake Orion,” Elgie said. “We also had a close game against Troy and we beat Farmington.”
Those four teams have been top contenders in previous State Championships.
“We have a good team and a lot of potential,” Elgie said.
The District Championships begin June 5. If Seaholm were to beat Groves and West Bloomfield beats Marian, then the rematch will be in the district finals.
