ROGERS CITY — As the Onaway Cardinals huddled up in left field following their regional softball championship loss to Hillman in Rogers City Saturday, June 6, there was a moment of sadness.
Sadness for a group that went above and beyond expectations in the postseason, again.
But mostly sadness for a pair of senior stars who set the foundation and helped lead the program back to championship glory over the last two seasons.
Following their final postgame talk of the 2026 season, players’ looks of sadness turned back into smiles of joy, as several teammates hugged and embraced seniors Marley Szymoniak and Carley Karsten, a star duo that was pivotal in Onaway’s resurgence and district title repeat.
Sure, it hurt Szymoniak to fall one game short of a regional crown, but even she admitted there was no shame in losing to the No. 2-ranked Tigers and superstar pitcher Gretchen Weiland. Despite not manufacturing enough runs, Onaway’s players held their own against Weiland and delivered better at-bats as the contest wore on.
Sometimes, you just tip your cap, or in Szymoniak’s case, a visor, to the opposition.
“I give it to Gretchen — she’s an absolute beast,” Szymoniak said. “Getting to see her again, it was nerve-wracking for sure because we knew what she could do. Playing against her is great. They’re a super great team and you can tell they work hard.”
In the last game of their Onaway careers, Szymoniak and Karsten showed just how vital they’ve been to the program, as Szymoniak kept the Cardinals alive with solid defensive plays at second base, and Karsten launched a Weiland pitch to the right field wall, a ball that probably would’ve exited the park had it not been for the howling winds of Rogers City.
Well after the game was over, Szymoniak made it known what it meant to share the softball field of battle with Karsten, who performed superbly as a starting catcher all season.
“It’s super cool playing alongside her for as long as I can remember in volleyball and softball,” Szymoniak said. “She’s always been that person where we can always relate to each other. I’m really proud of everything she’s done. We definitely left our mark, for sure.”
Among those giving hugs to the senior leaders was Onaway coach Lonny Metty, whose program is now on an excellent path after a trophy apiece over the last two postseasons.
He noted a big reason for that was Szymoniak and Karsten — and not just their play in the field.
“The softball smarts and knowledge they bring to the game, and the cheerfulness — they’ve always got smiles on their faces,” Metty said. “They’re always cheering the other girls on and keeping their heads in the game. They’re two outstanding leaders and they’re going to be missed come next year.”
Though the regional final was the last time Szymoniak represented herself as an Onaway Cardinal, she’ll continue her journey on Delta College’s women’s softball team next season.
Szymoniak said the positive atmosphere she and Karsten helped establish in the program is something she’ll miss dearly, but with a loaded Onaway team returning next season, she can’t wait to see the future has in store for the Cardinals as she follows from afar.
“To watch them next year is going to be super awesome, just to see how much they grow,” Szymoniak said. “Even with some of these girls being sophomores and freshmen, they’ve already left their mark, so I think they’re going to do great things next year.”
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: Onaway softball seniors Szymoniak, Karsten leave with winning legacy
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
