By Calli Newberry
After winning last year’s MHSAA Division 3 Softball State Final, it may not be a complete surprise to see the Richmond Blue Devils still standing among the top eight teams in the state.
This year, however, their roster consists of eight new members, meaning more than half of this year’s team hasn’t played a varsity season, let alone win a regional championship. But they haven’t seemed to miss a beat after winning both games on Saturday to claim back-to-back regional trophies. Richmond defeated Leslie 4-2 in the semifinal and returned to shut out Laingsburg 6-0 in the championship.
And now, the only thing standing between Richmond and its return to East Lansing is Millington, the 2019 state champion. The Blue Devils defeated Millington 2-1 in nine innings last year in the regional championship, something the Cardinals are unlikely to forget.
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The rematch is slated for this afternoon at Saginaw Valley State University with a 4 o’clock first pitch. But before then, get to know the eight new Blue Devils and their five veteran teammates:
Alissa Cervi, Class of 2023
Position: First base
Nickname: Liss
Walkup song: Yeah! by Usher
Katherine Chrostowski, Class of 2025
Position: Third base
Nickname: K.C., KC and the Sunshine Band (Although she said she doesn’t know who that is)
Walkup song: Humble by Kendrick Lamar
Piper Clark, Class of 2023
Position: Shortstop
Nickname: Pip
Walkup song: Drop It Like It’s Hot by Snoop Dogg
Lauren Creon, Class of 2022
Position: Center field
Nickname: Lo
Walkup song: Stayin’ Alive by Bee Gees
Sophia Ferranti, Class of 2022
Position: Second base
Nickname: Sof or Sir (Because she dressed up like Coach Stuart in a costume contest)
Walkup song: Boyfriend by Big Time Rush
Emmi Hildreth, Class of 2025
Position: Left field
Nickname: Em, Lou, or Emmy Lou
Walkup song: JuJu On That Beat by Zayion McCall
Abbey Rinehart, Class of 2024
Position: Right field
Nickname: Labby
Walkup song: Sicko Mode by Travis Scott
Katie Shuboy, Class of 2025
Position: Pitcher
Nickname: Shuboy
Walkup song: Crank That by Soulja Boy
Liz Shuboy, Class of 2024
Position: first base
Nickname: Lizard or Glizzard (Glitter and Lizzy, because “I sparkle”)
Walkup song: Pure Water by Mustard, Migos
Ashley Stafford, Class of 2025
Position: Catcher
Nickname: Ash
Walkup song: Bad by Michael Jackson
Lauren Teltow, Class of 2024
Position: Third base
Nickname: L.T.
Walkup song: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Olivia Theut, Class of 2022
Position: Second base
Nickname: Liv or Liver
Walkup song: Baby by Justin Bieber
Lauryn Ziza, Class of 2022
Position: Right field
Nickname: Z
Walkup song: ‘Till I Collapse, Eminem
