COLDWATER – While the Coldwater Cardinal varsity softball team faced off with perennial power Paw Paw in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, the fate of the Interstate 8 Conference championship was up for grabs at Jackson Northwest High School.
The Cardinals did their job heading into the final day of the regular season, ending their conference schedule with just two losses. Entering Tuesday, however, Coldwater needed a little help from the Mounties as Northwest played host to the Marshall Red hawks.
Help they got, as Northwest defeated Marshall in game one of the Interstate 8 doubleheader by the score of 8-3, giving Coldwater a share of the Interstate 8 conference championship.
“It is always good to win championships, I could not be prouder of these girls,” Coldwater coach Aaron Bucklin said. “That was the first goal of ours we were able to accomplish this year, winning conference. These girls battled back and battled hard and found a way to win it. Not a bad way to go into districts.”
On the field in Coldwater on Tuesday the Cardinals dropped a pair of nail biters to a very good Paw Paw team, falling by scores of 8-6 and 5-0.
Game one saw Paw Paw build an 8-1 lead, but a furious Coldwater comeback saw the score standing at 8-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Paw Paw defense held tough, keeping the score intact and giving the Cardinals the loss.
In game two, the Paw Paw pitching was just too tough, allowing only two hits as Coldwater fell 5-0.
Top Performances-
Mackenzie Searing, OF/P – Searing had a solid all-around day, recording the only two Coldwater hits in the second game of the doubleheader while adding two hits, including a double, with one RBI in game one. Searing also pitched well in game 2, allowing five hits and only one run in a tough loss.
Mya Porter, CF- Porter finished game one 2 for 4 with a single and a double with a run scored and an RBI.
Rylie VanAken, SS – VanAken finished game one 2 for 3 with a single and a double with one RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
Also adding to the Coldwater effort was Vandria Bucklin, Coley Burkhardt, and Audrina Bucklin all with doubles in game one.
Coldwater is now 21-6 on the season and will open postseason play on Saturday when they face off with Interstate 8 rival Marshall in the first round of Division 2 district at Marshall High School, beginning at 10 a.m.
Bronson sweeps Otsego in District warm-up
OTSEGO – The Bronson Vikings appear to be peaking at just the right time, and it showed on Tuesday as the Vikings capped off their stellar 2025 regular season with a two-game sweep over the Otsego Bulldogs, winning by scores of 10-2 and 7-3.
“I loved the way we came out and played defense tonight,” Bronson coach Becky Gray said. “The outfield made some amazing catches. I thought we attacked the ball on offense well too, it was a good tune up for Districts.”
Bronson took game one over Otsego by the score of 10-2 behind the pitching of Ashlynn Harris who took the win on the mound after throwing seven innings, allowing two runs, none earned, with seven walks and eight strikeouts.
Game two saw Madison Shaw take the win on the mound in the 7-3 victory. Shaw threw all seven innings while allowing three runs on 13 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Top Performances-
Ashlynn Harris, P/IF – Harris finished the two-game set with three hits, all singles, with four stolen bases.
Ciara Blankenship, SS – Blankenship recorded three singles to go with three stolen bases and an RBI.
Lydia Wells, C – Wells notched two hits, including a single and a home run. Wells added two stolen bases and an RBI.
Roni Bir, 3B – Bir had perhaps the best two game set for the Vikings, with five hits after going 4 for 4 in game two. Bir had four singles and a home run with six RBIs and a stolen base.
Also adding to the Bronson win was Braelyn Gimenez, Kailyn Scare, and Kyra McCormick all with singles.
Bronson improves to 24-9 overall on the season with the sweep and will return to action on Saturday when they face off with Constantine in the semifinals of the Division 3 district tournament to be held at Bronson High School.
Union City splits with former Big 8 rival Jonesville in district tune-up
JONESVILLE – The Union City Chargers split with Jonesville Tuesday night, taking game one 12-10 before falling in the night cap 13-3.
Karlie Eagen took the win on the mound in game one, throwing all seven innings while allowing 10 runs on 12 hits with five walks and two strikeouts. Eagen went on to take the loss on the mound in game two after throwing four innings and a third, allowing 17 hits and 13 runs, only six earned, with four walks and a strikeout.
Top Performances-
Ellie Williams, C – Williams finished with three singles, one RBI, and two runs scored.
Hannah Schofield, RF – Schofield finished with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored.
Lauren Tundevold, CF – Tundevold had three singles, an RBI, two runs scored, and two stolen bases
Madison Krummrey, 1B – finished with two singles and a double with two RBIs, one run, and three stolen bases.
Also adding to the Union City effort was Calli Wilkinson with a single and two runs scored; Gracie Phelps with a double and an RBI; Madysn Washburn with a single and two RBIs; and Tempe Sours with a single, an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases.
With the two game split Union City’s record now stands at 11-18 overall on the year. The Chargers will return to action Saturday when they travel to Bronson to face Centreville in the second semifinals of the Division 3 District 81 softball tournament, beginning at 12 p.m. The winner will move on to the finals to face either Bronson or Constantine at 2 p.m.
Tune in to The Daily Reporter for Branch County softball updates as they come in throughout the week. Follow the Daily Reporter online at www.thedailyreporter.com or on all social media. For any questions regarding Branch County softball coverage please contact sports editor Troy Tennyson via email at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Softball: Coldwater wraps up share of Interstate 8 Conference title; Bronson sweeps, UC splits
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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