By Steve Eldridge
EAST LANSING — They came, they saw, and boy, did they ever conquer.
The Mendon Hornets softball team accomplished the improbable last Saturday afternoon, knocking off five-time defending state champion Unionville-Sebewaing 11-1 at Michigan State University’s Secchia Stadium in East Lansing, in a game that was ended in the sixth inning by the mercy run rule.
No mercy is exactly what the Lady Hornets showed the team better known as USA, as they exacted revenge on the squad that bounced Mendon by a run in the finals two years ago, 5-4, and in the semifinals last year, also by a single run, 6-5.
The first inning was shaping up to be unremarkable, as the Patriots were one out away from heading to the second frame tied at zero. The Hornets had loaded the bases on a single off the bat of Rowan Allen and walks to Mattea Bingaman and Brielle Bailey. Ally Butler hit a popup that somehow eluded two Patriot infielders, scoring two runs, followed by Cienna Nightingale, who promptly laced a double to left, scoring Bailey and Butler. In the blink of an eye, Mendon had grabbed a 4-0 lead.
After a scoreless second stanza, the Hornets once again flexed their muscles in the third, and once again, all the damage came after two outs. Bingaman, who had walked, landed on third after a single by Ally Butler. Nightingale once again came through, and once again lined a pitch to left for a triple that scored Bingaman and Butler. Elise Allen kept the offense rolling, as she spanked a double to right center, scoring Nightingale, which then brought Abby Butler to the plate. She doubled, however she was cut down at third trying to stretch it to a triple, but not before Allen crossed the plate with another Mendon run, which made the score 8-0.
Starting pitcher Rowan Allen held USA hitless until the fourth inning, when the first two batters to step in punched a couple of singles. After a strikeout and a fielder’s choice, the Patriots managed to get a runner to third, but a flyout ended the inning. Both teams failed to score in that inning, but USA finally got on the board in the top of the fifth on a leadoff walk and a double, which scored the runner all the way from first. The Hornets were able to end the inning on a groundout, making the score 8-1, but Mendon was able to answer that with a single run in the bottom half of the fifth. Ally Butler drew a walk, and after the next two batters were retired, Abby Butler reached base on an error. Sister Ally was then able to scamper home after USA committed its second error of the inning, pushing the score to 9-1, advantage Hornets.
Allen, who in typical fashion, seemed to get stronger with every pitch, retired the side in order in the top of the sixth inning, setting the stage for what would prove to be the final touch on a championship season.
Rowan Allen led off the bottom of the sixth, and reached base after being plunked by a pitch. Kaidee Gonser followed, and lined a single to left, advancing Allen into scoring position at second. Brooke Gerth came in to pinch run for Gonser, and both runners moved up on a passed ball. Allen and Gerth would then both score on a Patriot error, with Gerth diving headfirst into home with the winning run. As she skidded across home plate, Mendon players, coaches and fans erupted into a frenzied celebration, as the Lady Hornets had taken down the team that they had fallen short against the past two seasons.
“I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off our backs,” coach Steve Butler said. “They earned it, they deserve it, and they came out and dominated.”
Coach Mike Smith added that, “I really don’t know how to feel, it’s hard to put into words. The girls have been here three years in a row, and we tried so hard to get over it, and we finally did it.” He also said that “I’m exhausted. I have a lot of emotion when I’m out on the field, and I’m so happy for the girls.”
Leading the offensive charge for the state champions was Nightingale, who scored a run, had two hits and drove in four, while Ally Butler had two hits, two RBI, and also scored three times. Elise Allen added a hit, scored a run, and also drove in one, followed by winning pitcher Rowan Allen had a base hit and scored twice. Mattea Bingaman scored a pair of runs and had an RBI, Gonser had two hits, followed by Abby Butler, who knocked in a run. Also adding to the offense was Jadyn Samson with a base hit, Brielle Bailey scored a run, and Gerth scored one run, which proved to be the game-winner. Allen went the distance on the hill, allowing only three hits and one earned run. She walked two, and recorded five strikeouts.
With the win, Mendon completes their championship season with a record of 36-2.
