BATTLE CREEK — It’s easy to get a little nervous when you realize your season is on the line and could end at any time. That was the situation Harper Creek’s softball team faced as they took a 25-6 record into the first round of MHSAA tournament play.
But the Beavers soon relaxed and will continue their season on the weekend after a victory.
Harper Creek defeated Pennfield in a Division 2 first-round district tournament game in softball action on Tuesday, May 26 at Harper Creek High School.
MORE: District girls soccer results
Harper Creek led just 1-0 heading into the fourth inning of a must-win game against their city rivals. They then broke the game open with eight runs in its last three times up to bat to cruise to the win.
“We started a little slow. We have been a little tense the last couple of weeks, so I was hoping this game will help us relax and allow the girls start having a little fun,” Harper Creek coach Sarah Palmer said. “We have a very strong district, so it is about focusing on one game at a time and Pennfield was the first stop.”
It was the pitching by Aleena Stahlhood that allowed the Beavers to settle in. Stahlhood pitched a two-hitter in the win, striking out 16 without giving up a walk.
“I knew I had to come out here and show up for my team, even if we weren’t hitting early,” Stahlhood said. “Now, we play on the weekend. Take it one game at a time and see how it goes.”
Kaylee Kirkpatrick went 4-for-4 for the Beavers with two RBIs.
Harper Creek improves to 26-6 and will face Marshall in a district semifinal at Marshall on Saturday, May 30. Pennfield ends the season at 9-12.
In the other side of the Division 2 district, No. 2-ranked Coldwater will face Vicksburg.
More district softball scores, brackets
Division 1 at Mason
Battle Creek Central lost its district opener 23-0 to Mason in three innings. Mason advances to see Holt in the district semifinal. Lakeview will play Jackson in the other side of the district.
Division 2 at Otsego
Gull Lake will see Otsego in the first round of a four-team district at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Plainwell and Paw Paw are in the other side of the bracket, playing at noon.
Division 3 at Homer
Homer will host a four-team district and face Hillsdale in the semifinal at noon on Saturday. Quincy will see Jonesville in the other side of the bracket.
Division 3 at Kalamazoo Christian
Galesburg-Augusta will be in a three-team district as the Rams will play host Kalamazoo Christian at noon on Friday. The winner advances to the final at 2 p.m.
Division 4 at Climax-Scotts
Climax-Scotts/St. Philip co-op team will host a four-team district, with all games on Saturday. Climax-Scotts/St. Philip will play Kalamazoo Hackett in the 10 a.m. game. Martin will see Gobles at noon. The championship game is set for 2 p.m.
Division 4 at Athens
Athens will host a three-team district with all games set for Friday. Tekonsha will play Colon in the first round at 1 p.m. Athens will play the winner in a district title game at 3 p.m.
Division 4 at Maple Valley
Bellevue will face Potterville to open a three-team district at Maple Valley at 1 p.m. Friday. Dansville will play the winner in the title game at 3 p.m.
District baseball scores, schedule
Division 1 at Mason
Gull Lake saw its season come to an end with a 16-15 record after losing a pitcher’s duel, 2-1, to Mason in the first round of this Division 1 district at Mason. Blake Brown allowed just five hits in the loss for Gull Lake from the mound, striking out nine. The Blue Devils were held to three hits.
Mason advances to face Lakeview in the district semifinal 10 a.m. on Saturday. Battle Creek Central will face Jackson in the other side of the bracket.
Division 2 at Coldwater
Coldwater will host a four-team district with all games on Saturday. Coldwater will face Harper Creek in the 10 a.m. game. Marshall will play Pennfield in the other district semifinal at noon with the finals set for 2:30 p.m.
Division 3 at Centreville
The Climax-Scotts/St. Philip co-op team will play in a Division 3 district at Centreville. C-S/St. Philip will face Constantine at 10 a.m. Saturday. Host Centreville will face Union City at noon with the finals set for 2 p.m.
Division 3 at Hanover-Horton
Homer will play host Hanover-Horton in a Division 3 district semifinal at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Jonesville will face Quincy in the other half of the district.
Division 3 at Kalamazoo Christian
Galesburg-Augusta will see host Kalamazoo Christian at 10 a.m. Saturday in this Division 3 district. Delton Kellogg will face Parchment in the other district semifinal.
Division 4 at Maple Valley
Bellevue will see Martin in the first round of a four-team district at Maple Valley at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Potterville will play host Maple Valley in the other district semifinal at 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 at Athens
Athens will host a Division 4 district, with the finals on Friday. Colon will see Mendon at noon on Friday with Athens facing White Pigeon. The finals are set for 4 p.m. Friday.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek opens softball district play with win over rival Pennfield
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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