PELLSTON — There were some smiles, some laughs and some tears.
But even after the impressive softball season ended for the Mackinaw City Comets in the district semifinals last week, three sisters were together as one. Those three have had the chance to play together as teammates in multiple sports over the last couple of seasons.
That trio – Elizabeth Kruczynski, Emily Kruczynski and Ella Kruczynski – have made their sibling experience a memorable one, one that’s benefited them and the Mackinaw City programs they’ve represented.
“I’ve loved playing with my sisters,” Emily said. “I don’t really know how to say it, but it’s like home, I guess, because they’re with me and I see them every day, and it’s great.”
The three began playing sports at a young age, but it wasn’t until the past school year when they started competing and thriving together in varsity volleyball, basketball and softball.
On the softball field, Elizabeth, Mackinaw City’s lone senior, started playing with Emily, a freshman, while Ella, the youngest of the three, joined the Comets on varsity as a seventh grader, eventually becoming Mackinaw City’s starting pitcher. Together, the three all-Northern Lakes Conference honorees helped lift Mackinaw City to its first league championship since 2022.
“Honestly, winning (the NLC) was probably the biggest thing for the three of us, because we’ve played with each other for a while, and so I think that was a huge achievement that the three of us can be very proud of,” Elizabeth said.
Learning under ‘Liz’ has been a joy for Emily and Ella, who praised their senior sister for her leadership qualities and keeping things cool in difficult times.
“I think what she’s taught me the most is staying positive, and even when you make a bad mistake, just keep going with it, and it’s going to be fine,” Emily said. “That’s what she’s really about.”
Ella agreed with her freshman sister.
“(Elizabeth has) been through a lot, and it’s really sad she’s going to be leaving us this year,” Ella said. “She mainly taught me to stay out of my head during games.”
If you’d like to know what the three Kruczynskis have meant to Mackinaw City athletics, look no further than first-year softball coach Erica France, who was blown away by their ability to bring together the entire team throughout a successful spring.
“They’re all very outgoing and born leaders,” France said. “Everyone naturally just gravitates to them, and they’ve done a good job of making sure the team stays connected and that the good vibes are going. They’ve earned everything they’ve gotten this season.”
As fun as it was for all three, it had to end at some point. With Elizabeth now graduated, Emily and Ella will remain with the Comets for multiple years, while fourth sister Elexus, who served as the team’s manager as a fifth grader during this past campaign, will join the varsity someday.
It’ll be tough to say so long to her sisters in an athletic environment, but Elizabeth is simply thankful to have gotten the chance to bond and win with her siblings.
“I’m glad I got to play with both Emily and Ella,” Elizabeth said. “I wish I had the opportunity to play with Lexi even though we have such huge age gaps between us, but I’m so grateful for these girls. They went out and they had such a drive to win. I don’t regret anything from this season. It was my favorite.”
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: Kruczynski sisters a big part of Mackinaw City softball’s success
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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