BOYNE CITY — The Cheboygan Chiefs threw everything but the kitchen sink at Boyne City during an epic district semifinal showdown on Saturday, May 30.
They came in believing they could win, and they certainly hit the cover off the ball against Boyne City junior star pitcher Sidney Bush, pushing 10 total runs across the plate.
But all it took was one painful, agonizing, demoralizing inning to crush their hopes of beating the Ramblers and advancing to the final. That inning was the top of the sixth for the Chiefs, who lost a 5-2 lead by surrendering 11 runs – including four Boyne City home runs – to the Ramblers, who took control and held on for a 13-10 victory in a wild MHSAA Division 3 showdown.
“It’s a hard one to swallow,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde said. “For the girls, it’s harder for them, because we battled back.”
The Chiefs (23-10) built a 3-0 lead in the opening innings behind the clutch hitting of senior Tessa Lake, who ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the first then blasted a two-run homer in the third. While the Ramblers trimmed Cheboygan’s advantage to 3-2 in the top of the fourth thanks to a home run from Bush, the Chiefs responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
However, Cheboygan’s struggles in the sixth ended up being its downfall.
While it was a painful way to go out, LaLonde lauded his team for the season it had.
“It was a great season for the girls,” LaLonde said. “We didn’t have an error in the field today. The girls made the plays, and they hit the ball hard, and Lydia’s (Kosanke) been tough all year. She just had one rough inning. I am very proud of them. What a pleasure to coach this team. It was a good year.”
In addition to Lake’s strong day, Cheboygan’s potent 15-hit attack consisted of a 3-for-5 display from Kosanke, who doubled and knocked in two runs. Adding two hits apiece were Diem Schley (double, RBI, three runs), Nataleigh Blaisdell (RBI, two runs), Presley Chamberlain and Bea Schulz. Teagan Wheelock doubled and Aubrey Mastin had a hit.
Kosanke, who took the pitching loss, struck out nine and allowed eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Cheboygan says goodbye to seniors Presley Chamberlain (Grand Rapids Community College) and Tessa Lake (Kalamazoo Valley Community College), who will continue their softball careers at the next level. Bea Schulz, Jenna Dodder, Addison Ptasnik and Caleigh Easter round out Cheboygan’s senior players.
“I’m going to miss them – they came through with some big hits today, with leadership and everything,” LaLonde said. “They had some great careers.”
Boyne City captured the district title with a 5-1 victory over Elk Rapids in the final. The Ramblers advance to face Calumet in a 12 p.m. regional semifinal at Cheboygan on Saturday, June 6.
Mackinaw City loses lead, falls to Pellston
PELLSTON – The Mackinaw City softball team was right where it wanted to be, holding an early 5-0 lead and all the momentum in the world.
Unfortunately for the Comets, they lost their advantage by surrendering 10 runs in the third inning, which resulted in a 13-11 MHSAA Division 4 district semifinal loss at Pellston on Friday, May 29.
The Comets continued to fight despite losing their lead, but they fell short of completing the comeback.
“The girls did a great job picking themselves up – they didn’t let it keep them down,” Mackinaw City coach Erica France said. “They fought back, and we were close. We almost had it. I’m very proud of them for lifting each other up and working together to not just fall apart.”
Kenzlie Currie finished 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored for Mackinaw City’s offense, which received two hits (double) from Rian Esper, and a hit and an RBI apiece from Poppy Wallace and Alaia Mendez. Izzy Swanson chipped in with a hit.
Ella Kruczynski took the pitching loss, striking out 12 and allowing nine hits in seven innings.
In the end, it was an impressive first season for France, who guided the Comets to their first Northern Lakes Conference championship since 2022.
“Rian (Esper) and Kenzlie (Currie) were eighth graders the last time (we won an NLC title),” France said. “With this being my first year, I was blown away with how well the girls did. We did a lot of team bonding, and we worked really hard to stick together and have a good healthy environment in that dugout. It was great to coach and have my dad (Paul) there helping me. I’m so proud of these girls. I love them so much, and they worked so hard, and it showed.”
It also marked the final game for Elizabeth Kruczynski, Mackinaw City’s lone senior player.
Inland Lakes goes down against Paulus, Harbor Light
PELLSTON – The Inland Lakes baseball team’s bid for a fifth consecutive district title fell well short.
A big reason for that was Harbor Light pitching ace Will Paulus.
Paulus delivered one of his top outings of the season, shutting the Bulldogs’ potent lineup down and lifting the Swordsmen to their second consecutive MHSAA Division 4 district crown with a 7-0 victory at Pellston’s Pioneer Park on Friday, May 29.
During 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball, Paulus struck out six and surrendered just four hits to earn the win. Offensively, he recorded a double, two RBIs and two runs scored for the Swordsmen.
Leading the Bulldogs offensively was Gus Carper, who went 2-for-3, while Cash DePauw and James Layman recorded a hit apiece.
DePauw, who took the pitching loss, struck out 11 and allowed seven hits across six innings in his final game as a Bulldog.
In a 17-2 semifinal victory over Pellston, Carper was 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while DePauw went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Harper Lee (RBI, two runs), Landon Perkins (RBI), Ryker Mullett (RBI), Ty Kolly (three runs), Collin Maves and Jack Fassoux each recorded a hit. Wyatt Hanel had an RBI. Andre Bradford and Gunnar Hanel scored two runs each.
Hanel was the winning pitcher, striking out five and scattering three hits in four innings.
Among the members of I-L’s senior class include Ty Kolly, Cash DePauw, Andre Bradford, Wyatt Hanel and James Layman, who were all instrumental in lifting the Bulldogs to great success in recent years.
Harbor Light meets Hillman in a 4:30 p.m. regional semifinal at Hillman on Wednesday, June 3.
Chiefs knocked out by Petoskey in baseball
GAYLORD – The Cheboygan baseball team’s season ended in a 13-1 loss to Petoskey in an MHSAA Division 2 district semifinal at Gaylord on Saturday, May 30.
In their last game as Cheboygan players, senior Charlie Godfrey registered the lone hit for the Chiefs, while fellow senior Josh Clark knocked in a run.
Godfrey was Cheboygan’s losing pitcher.
“It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the seniors,” Cheboygan coach Kevin Baller said. “Josh and Charlie spent a lot of time with baseball.”
Petoskey earned a 4-2 victory over Gaylord in the district final.
Cardinals drop semifinal at Hillman
HILLMAN – The Onaway baseball team dropped a 10-6 contest to host Hillman in an MHSAA Division 4 baseball district semifinal at Hillman on Saturday, May 30.
Casey Kindt doubled and recorded an RBI for the Cardinals, who received a hit apiece from Eli LaLonde (RBI) and Brody George (two runs). Zach Schmoldt (two RBIs), Matthew Russ (RBI) and Andrew Gulley (two runs) also contributed.
Gulley (strikeout) pitched 2 2/3 innings in the loss, while Gabe Watson (two strikeouts) tossed 3 1/3 innings in relief.
Comets struggle offensively against Rudyard
PICKFORD – Offensive struggles were a problem for the Mackinaw City baseball team, which lost 10-0 to Rudyard in an MHSAA Division 4 district semifinal at Pickford on Friday, May 29.
Recording the lone hit for the Comets was senior Ben Strittmatter, who played his last game in a Mackinaw City uniform. Other seniors were Braylon Currie and Tyler Hingston and Tanyon Pierce.
Rudyard suffered a 5-4 district final loss to Pickford.
Pellston season ends in loss to Bulldogs
PELLSTON – The Pellston baseball team suffered a 17-2 loss to Inland Lakes in an MHSAA Division 4 district baseball semifinal at Pellston on Friday, May 29.
Ethan Hickman’s 2-for-2 hitting performance led by the Hornets, who received a hit apiece from Isaac Groff and Sam O’Neil.
Brett Bonter took the pitching loss for the Hornets.
NMCA softball bows out to Harbor Light
PELLSTON – Things looked good early.
However, struggles in the fourth and fifth innings were too much to overcome for the Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy softball team, which lost 17-7 to Harbor Light in an MHSAA Division 4 district semifinal at Pellston on Friday, May 29.
Holding a 6-2 lead after three innings, the Eagles surrendered five runs in the bottom of the fourth and 10 more in the fifth, which resulted in their season ending.
Isabel Hoffmeyer tripled and scored two runs for NMCA, which received a hit and an RBI apiece from Ellie Schepperley and Piper Spuller, a hit and two runs scored from Ariel Tucker, a hit from Shanna Ferraiuolo, and two RBIs from Harper Nelund.
Tucker took the pitching loss, striking out eight and scattering three hits in four innings.
Eagles fall into early hole, lose to Swordsmen
PELLSTON – A rough first inning spelled doom for the Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy baseball team, which saw its season end in an 18-3 loss to Harbor Light in an MHSAA Division 4 district semifinal at Pellston on Friday, May 29.
The Eagles surrendered 10 runs in the opening inning to the Swordsmen, who went on to win the district crown by capturing a 7-0 victory over Inland Lakes.
NMCA was led by Jeremiah Tucker’s double and an RBI. Josh Ferraiuolo and Tyler Vest each had hits.
Ferraiuolo, who was the losing pitcher, struck out two, while Tucker fanned four batters in three innings.
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: Cheboygan softball loses district semifinal thriller at Boyne City
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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