I’ll repeat this until the cows come home.
Postseason softball is awesome.
For numerous years in the Cheboygan area we’ve had at least one team make a run to regionals, and sometimes two or three. Making the exciting journey last year was Onaway softball, which topped Rogers City in the district final.
As postseason action begins this week, let’s preview the district for each Cheboygan-area team.
Division 3, District 67 (AT BOYNE CITY)
Pre-District, Tuesday, May 26
Harbor Springs at Cheboygan, 4 p.m.
Semifinals, Saturday, May 30
Cheboygan/Harbor Springs vs. Boyne City, 10 a.m.
Charlevoix vs. Elk Rapids, 12 p.m.
Final, Saturday, May 30
Semifinal winners, 2 p.m.
Thoughts: The World Cup is happening this summer, and when there’s a World Cup, there’s always a ‘group of death’ that features at least three excellent teams. That will be the case for the district of the Cheboygan Chiefs, whose path to a title includes them likely having to beat host Boyne City in the semifinals and then Elk Rapids in the final. The Ramblers might be the favorite in this district, especially with sensational junior pitcher Sidney Bush, who shut down Cheboygan during a conference doubleheader earlier this season. Before the Ramblers, though, Cheboygan must beat Harbor Springs.
As for the Chiefs, they counter with a terrific sophomore pitcher in Lydia Kosanke, who’s exploded with a breakout campaign both in the pitcher’s circle and offensively. If it is a semifinal showdown between Cheboygan and Boyne City, timely hitting will be the ultimate key for the Chiefs, who feature a dangerous lineup of bats that includes Kosanke, seniors Presley Chamberlain and Tessa Lake, breakout sophomore Diem Schley, and junior star Nataleigh Blaisdell.
Of all the district tournaments on the menu, this could be the most fascinating one to follow.
Division 4, District 102 (AT PELLSTON)
Semifinals, Friday, May 29
Pellston vs. Mackinaw City, 1 p.m.
Harbor Light vs. Burt Lake NMCA, 3 p.m.
Final, Friday, May 29
Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.
Thoughts: A clash of old area rivals will occur on a Friday in Pellston, as the Hornets host Mackinaw City in a district semifinal. Both teams split during a doubleheader in Mackinaw a few weeks ago, and both have improved along the way. The winner of this matchup would clash with the winner of NMCA and Harbor Light, another rivalry matchup.
For the Hornets, they have plenty of senior experience with Alpena Community College-bound catcher Ella Klungle, pitcher Lanie Irwin, and longtime shortstop Breanna Willis.
On the Mackinaw City side, Erica France’s squad counters with eighth-grade pitcher Ella Kruczynski, who’s emerged as one of the best young players in the area. Her two sisters, Elizabeth and Emily Krucyzynski, along with juniors Kenzlie Currie and Rian Esper, are more than capable of delivering big hits, as is sophomore Poppy Wallace, one of the most powerful bats in the Mackinaw City lineup.
Led by senior pitcher Ariel Tucker, NMCA also has a solid shot to win this district. Tucker has been solid in many of the games she’s pitched, while sisters Shanna and Lauren Ferraiuolo and Isabel Hoffmeyer are three quality hitters who can wreak havoc on opposing pitchers.
This district looks to be up for grabs – and that’s what makes it compelling.
Division 4, District 104 (AT GAYORD ST. MARY)
Pre-District, Tuesday, May 26
Gaylord St. Mary vs. Wolverine, 5 p.m.
Semifinals, Friday, May 29
Gaylord St. Mary/Wolverine vs. Inland Lakes, 12 p.m.
Boyne Falls vs. Onaway, 2 p.m.
Final, Friday, May 29
Semifinal winners, 4 p.m.
Thoughts: When I think of a softball district being played in Gaylord, I go back to 2019, when Onaway topped M-68 rival Inland Lakes in a championship thriller. Last spring, the Cardinals earned their first district crown since that ‘19 season by beating Rogers City. With the way this district is set up, it’s very possible we could see an Onaway-Inland Lakes championship showdown just as we did seven years ago. The Bulldogs will have to get through the winner of Gaylord St. Mary and Wolverine, a pair of teams who have improved, to clash with the Cardinals in the final, while Onaway must top Boyne Falls.
The Cardinals will be led by senior standouts Marley Szymoniak and Carley Karsten, while sophomore pitcher Aleigha Garms and junior outfielder Natalee Hyde are key players to watch.
However, the Bulldogs might have the mental edge if they face the Cardinals, whom they swept during their Ski Valley doubleheader in the regular season. Inland Lakes has been red-hot as of late, winning several games and being led by freshman pitcher Azalia Carper, who has racked up quality start after quality start. Offensively, seniors Jenna Stubbs and Alexys Langworthy are dangerous bats, while sophomore Adi Fenstermaker has been highly productive in this recent stretch of play.
While they might be a long shot, the Wildcats have a quality freshman pitcher in Zayla Dubois, who – like Carper – hit 100 strikeouts this campaign. Dubois, along with Emilee Williams, are crucial players for Wolverine, which must defeat the Snowbirds to get a crack at Inland Lakes.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Previewing Cheboygan-area high school softball district tournaments
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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