HEARTSTOPPING! Steinhoff Leads Braves To MSU
PETOSKEY---Jenna Steinhoff pitched a complete game in the circle, and she drove in her team's only two runs, and the Gladstone Braves upset the fifth ranked Calvin Christian Squires, 2-1, in state quarterfinal action on Tuesday afternoon in Petoskey. The senior righthander gave up a run in the top of the fourth inning, then shut the door as the Braves earned a third trip to the MHSAA Division Three state semifinals in the last four years, at Michigan State University. Gladstone lost in the semifinals last year, after winning the state title back in 2014. The Braves' only runs came in the bottom of the fourth, when Sydney Herioux and Kaitlyn Hardwick got base hits. With two out and runners at second and third, instead of walking Steinhoff, the Squires chose to pitch to her. And she made them pay. But this game was heartstopping as Calvin Christian gave up two base hits with two out in the seventh inning. With the game on the line, Steinhoff got a pop fly to shortstop Taylor Hunter, ending the contest and giving the Braves their 34th win of the year (34-9). Earlier in the game, the Braves appeared to be in trouble when Calvin Christian had a runner on second with one out. A shot ticketed for the outfield gap was tracked down by senior center fielder Alyssa Polley. She threw to second base for a huge double play. Polley also had a double in the bottom of the fifth inning, but she was stranded there. Hardwick led the Braves at the plate with a triple and two singles. Her triple in the sixth inning gave Gladstone a big chance for an insurance run, but Hunter and Steinhoff both struck out. That set up the heartstopping top of the seventh inning. Gladstone will face Napoleon High School in the semifinals on Friday at Michigan State. Napoleon beat Coloma in a high-scoring quarterfinal, 9-7, on Tuesday. Friday's game starts at 5:30, and will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), and on-line at rrnsports.com. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to listen to radio replays and post-game interviews. |