Airport nearly reached the state softball finals last season.
A two-out, walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning denied the Jets a chance to play for the championship.
Nearly all of the players from that team are back this spring.
“This Airport team has to be one of the most talented collective groups to ever come through,” Jets coach Jessica Irwin said. “Our 2020 group would have been very comparable but they never got their chance to show what they could do (because of COVID-19). This group has depth in the circle, one of the best defensive combinations I have seen in all of my years coaching, and this year we have been more disciplined at the plate which has resulted in great production.”
But all of the talent and past achievements guarantee nothing as the state tournaments get started this week.
Monroe County Region teams will play in five district tournaments. A preview of each follows.
DIVISION 1 AT MONROE
Monroe, Bedford and Gibraltar Carlson all bring winning records into the state tournament.
“Carlson might be the team to beat, but I think all of us in our district are pretty similar,” Bedford coach Marla Gooding said. “Anyone can win on any given day. The key for my team is to be aggressive and attack early on offense.”
District play begins with Carlson (17-9-1) taking on Downriver League rival Woodhaven at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30.
“It will be key for our team to stick to the formula that works – play hard, support each other and have fun,” Carlson coach Jason Gyolai said.
The second semifinal pits Monroe (18-13) against Bedford (22-8-1).
“Bedford has beaten us twice already this year and I’m sure the Carlson and Woodhaven winner will be expecting to play Bedford in finals,” Monroe coach Mickey Moody said. “For us to have a chance in the district, we will have to play really good defense and play with the intensity I know they can and just take one inning at a time.”
The finals are set for 2 p.m.
DIVISION 2 AT AIRPORT
Airport, 27-5 and ranked No. 5 in the state, open its state tournament against Jefferson.
“We need to have a strong pitching performance and minimize mistakes on defense,” said Jefferson coach Alyssa Eppler, whose team stands at 8-15-1.
The second semifinal also pits two Huron League teams against each other with New Boston Huron playing Flat Rock.
Huron has been hit hard by weather this season, splitting the 14 games it has been able to play.
“I expect that to be a dogfight and a game that comes down to the last inning,” Huron coach Tedi Belisle said of playing Flat Rock.
Irwin expects a great battle if her team reaches the 2 p.m. finals.
“While we have beat both teams twice, they both have talented kids in their lineup,” she said. “We know that we will have to play a clean game and have big performances from our three pitchers to come out with a district win.”
DIVISION 2 AT DUNDEE
Tecumseh, which eliminated Dundee in a quarterfinal game Tuesday, will take on Milan in a 10 a.m. semifinal on Saturday, May 30.
“The keys will be consistent pitching, limiting defensive mistakes, and finding timely hitting throughout the lineup,” Milan coach Micah Higa said of her 12-11 team. “When we are playing clean defensively and putting pressure on teams offensively, we are capable of competing with anyone in the district.”
Adrian and Romulus will play in the second semifinal with the winner moving on to the finals at 2 p.m.
DIVISION 3 AT WHITEFORD
St. Mary Catholic Central has risen to No. 10 in the state rankings.
The Kestrels open against Ida in the second game of a semifinal doubleheader on Saturday, May 30.
The 10 a.m. opener features Whiteford and Erie Mason. Whiteford (17-0) made the honorable mention list for the state rankings.
“SMCC is the defending champ and whomever wore the crown the year before knows what it means,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said. “We know at this point in the year we must focus on the controllables and simply win the next pitch.”
Mason enters the state tourney at 15-15-1.
“We are excited to compete,” Mason coach Angie Gerber said. “I respect all four teams and their talent. It could be anybody’s day.”
The finals will be played at 2 p.m.
DIVISION 4 AT BRITTON DEERFIELD
Summerfield, a decisive 23-0 winner over Britton Deerfield in the quarterfinals, takes the field again at 1 p.m. Friday, May 29 against Vandercook Lake.
The winner of that game will play East Jackson or Manchester in the championship game at 5 p.m.
“Favorite part about our team approach heading into districts is how connected this group has become,” Summerfield coach Christine Zappone said. “The softball IQ, communication, and confidence continue to grow, and the girls are learning how to compete together in big moments.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: District previews for Monroe County Region’s 14 softball teams
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
