EAST LANSING – For Lauren DeMille, Wednesday’s Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association All-Star team was a great way to cap a terrific softball career. For Hannah McEwan, it was a nice way to finish the high school chapter as she prepares to begin a new one in college.
The two recent Blissfield graduates were four-year starters on the Blissfield varsity softball team and were coached by their varsity skipper, Rich Tracy, who was selected for the all-star game. They played for “Team White” on the in the Division 3 All-Star game, and lost by a 5-4 score to “Team Red.” The eight-inning game was played at Rannehy Park in East Lansing.
EAST LANSING – For Lauren DeMille, Wednesday’s Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association All-Star team was a great way to cap a terrific softball career. For Hannah McEwan, it was a nice way to finish the high school chapter as she prepares to begin a new one in college.
The Blissfield varsity baseball team saw its season come to an end at Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights today. The Royals lost to Allen Park Cabrini 7-2 in the regional semifinal. Exactly one week after the Blissfield bats hit everything in sight while posting two 10-run mercy rule wins in the district, the Royals managed just four hits against Cabrini.
“Their pitcher had a lot to do with it,” said head coach Larry Tuttle, of Cabrini starter Trevor Hicks. ‘He kept us off-balance with that slider that he threw.”
Devin Suiter took the loss, allowing two runs in three innings of work on three hits, two walks and a hit batter. Eric Schmidt allowed five runs in four innings of relief.
The Blissfield varsity baseball team saw its season come to an end at Bishop Foley High School in Madison Heights today. The Royals lost to Allen Park Cabrini 7-2 in the regional semifinal. Exactly one week after the Blissfield bats hit everything in sight while posting two 10-run mercy rule wins in the district, the Royals managed just four hits against Cabrini.
“Their pitcher had a lot to do with it,” said head coach Larry Tuttle, of Cabrini starter Trevor Hicks. ‘He kept us off-balance with that slider that he threw.”
Blissfield won its 27th district championship Saturday with two 10-run mercy rule victories.
The Royals walloped Erie Mason 23-7 in the opener. Blissfield scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back. Devin Suiter picked up the win.
In the second game, the Royals defeated Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, 15-5. Eric Schmidt earned the win. The Royals were down 2-0 after the top of the first but, thanks in part to Blake Haupricht’s first varsity home run – a three-run shot over the leftfield fence – the Royals bounced back for six runs in the bottom of the inning.
For more, see Wednesday’s edition of The Advance.
Blissfield won its 27th district championship Saturday with two 10-run mercy rule victories.
Senior co-captain Adam Warner was just a bouncing baby boy the last time a Lenawee County Athletic Season ended with someone other than Blissfield as Champion. Warner and the Royals swept Erie Mason, Tuesday.
Eric Schmidt pitched six strong shutout out innings in the opener. Cody Spotts pitched an inning of scoreless relief. In game two, Devin Suiter, coming off a no-hitter against Brandywine, pitched a complete-game shutout as the Royals won 3-0.
“It’s important to win the LCAA. It’s not our ultimate goal. But it’s still important to us. It’s one of the goals we set before the season and we’re pretty happy with going undefeated and winning the league. But we’re not done yet,” said Warner.
Blissfield plays in the Adrian Invitation Saturday and opens its district tournament at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Ida at Blissfield. The winner of that game will play Erie Mason.
Senior co-captain Adam Warner was just a bouncing baby boy the last time a Lenawee County Athletic Season ended with someone other than Blissfield as Champion. Warner and the Royals swept Erie Mason, Tuesday.
Eric Schmidt pitched six strong shutout out innings in the opener. Cody Spotts pitched an inning of scoreless relief. In game two, Devin Suiter, coming off a no-hitter against Brandywine, pitched a complete-game shutout as the Royals won 3-0.
Blissfield swept Erie Mason tonight to capture a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association Championship. The Royals won the first game, 2-0, in a nine-inning thriller. Blissfield, which finished 8-2 in the LCAA to tie Onsted, won the second game 1-0 in another hair-raising victory.
Blissfield swept Erie Mason tonight to capture a share of the Lenawee County Athletic Association Championship. The Royals won the first game, 2-0, in a nine-inning thriller. Blissfield, which finished 8-2 in the LCAA to tie Onsted, won the second game 1-0 in another hair-raising victory.
The Royals needed to win both games to win a share of the LCAA title, its first since 2004.
Ace Hannah McEwan was brilliant in the opener. She allowed just three hits and three walks in the nine-inning complete game shutout. McEwan fanned nine.
Blissfield swept sixth-ranked Ida at Blissfield Wednesday.
The Royals won the opener behind Hannah McEwan's pitching, 4-2. Zoe Brennan homered for the Royals.
In the second game, the Royals came from behind to win 7-6. Blissfield was down 6-0. In the sixth inning, down 6-3 with two outs and a full count, Kassie Sauter belted a grand slam homer into the wind for a 7-6 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Ida loaded the bases. With two outs, an Ida hitter bunted. Lauren Lievens charged in from third, fielded the ball and gunned down the runner at the plate to preserve the win.
Jessica Martinez pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the win.
The Royals improved to 5-1 in the LCAA. Wednesday's doubleheader at Onsted could determine the league title.
Blissfield swept sixth-ranked Ida at Blissfield Wednesday.
The winner of the Blissfield Invitational baseball tournament won’t be decided until after the regular season.
Blissfield and Whiteford both went 2-0 in a tournament that started late because of field conditions caused by a heavy morning rainfall. Blissfield edged Grandhaven 3-0 in its first game, before beating up Dearborn in a 13-1 game shortened to five innings because of the mercy rule.
Whiteford won its first game, 14-13 over Dearborn. The Bobcats then came from behind to defeat Grandhaven 6-5 in a 10-inning thriller.
The winner of the Blissfield Invitational baseball tournament won’t be decided until after the regular season.
Whiteford senior Robbie Fisher had himself a ball game Friday at Madison. The Whiteford senior smacked three home runs as Whiteford defeated Madison 16-2.
Fisher, who’d homered in his most recent at bat against Morenci, jacked a first inning home run to make it 2-0. In his second at bat, Fisher drilled a line drive over the centerfield fence for a three-run homerun in the second inning. In the third inning, Fisher swung at the first pitch and lauched a towering flyball over the right fence.
Four at bats. Four homers.
According to the MHSAA website, Fisher became just the fifth person in MHSAA baseball history to hit home runs in four straight at bats. He joins Sault St. Marie’s Todd Menard (1987), Whitehall’s Josh Robart (1999(, and Holland Ottawa West’s Jon Brand (2009) as one of four players to accomplish the feat of homeruns in four straight at bats. In 2001, Clare’s Stevan Louch hit home runs in six straight at bats, stroking three homers in each game of a double header.
“The first pitch was a fastball a little up and I got it pretty good. He threw me a fastball again the second time, and it came off the bat really good. I didn’t get all of the third one, but I hit it hard enough,” said Fisher. “It felt pretty good when I came home and touched the plate with all my teammates waiting for me on that third one.”
Fisher was intentionally walked in his next appearance. He popped out in his final at bat.
Sean O’Leary pitched four innings in the win.
Whiteford’s Zach Dickerson got his first career at bat during the game,
The Whiteford softball team completed a busy week with three wins at Whitmore Lake Saturday.
The Bobcats (7-11) went 3-0, with wins over Gabriel Richard (6-3), Addison (16-8) and Morrice (16-2)
Jordan Kiefer tossed a five hitter, giving up one earned run while striking out four against Gabriel Richard. She helped herself at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and run. Bailey Spindler was also 2-for-4. Brittni Collins was 1-for-2 with three RBI. Megan Ortmann had a hit and RBI and Becky Worden doubled.
The Whiteford softball team completed a busy week with three wins at Whitmore Lake Saturday.
Blissfield and Whiteford are both listed the MHSBC poll released this afternoon.
Blissfield, which opened the LCAA schedule by sweeping a doubleheader at Dundee last night, tumbled four spots in the Division 3 poll. The Royals (14-3) fell from fourth to eighth in the coaches poll. Whiteford, who visits Morenci this afternoon, made its first appearance of the year in the Division 4 poll, ranking 10th. The Bobcats are 7-3.
Blissfield and Whiteford are both listed the MHSBC poll released this afternoon.
Blissfield, which opened the LCAA schedule by sweeping a doubleheader at Dundee last night, tumbled four spots in the Division 3 poll. The Royals (14-3) fell from fourth to eighth in the coaches poll. Whiteford, who visits Morenci this afternoon, made its first appearance of the year in the Division 4 poll, ranking 10th. The Bobcats are 7-3.
By defeating Washtenaw Christian 3-2 Friday, the Blissfield varsity girls’ soccer team won more games this week then it did all of last year.
Haley Neri and Caitlyn Meszaros scored five minutes apart late in the second half to lead Blissfield to the come from behind victory. Kenzy Speiser also scored for Blissfield.
The Royals were outshot 14-5. Goalie Cierra Sell turned aside 12 of 14 shots, including a great save to preserve the win in the game’s final seconds.
By defeating Washtenaw Christian 3-2 Friday, the Blissfield varsity girls’ soccer team won more games this week then it did all of last year.
SALINE – Blissfield senior Hannah McEwan can beat you on the mound or at the plate. McEwan struck out nine Hornets and gave up one earned run in seven innings of work as Blissfield beat Saline 7-3. At the plate, McEwan went 3-for-3 with a double, 2 RBI and a run scored.
Senior Lauren Lievens also had a big day, with a single, double and walk. She scored three runs.
Blissfield scored first in the opening inning. Leadoff hitter Lauren DeMille walked and stole second. Lievens walked. McEwan singled home DeMille. Lievens went to third on the throw and scored on a wild pitch.
SALINE – Blissfield senior Hannah McEwan can beat you on the mound or at the plate. McEwan struck out nine Hornets and gave up one earned run in seven innings of work as Blissfield beat Saline 7-3. At the plate, McEwan went 3-for-3 with a double, 2 RBI and a run scored.
Senior Lauren Lievens also had a big day, with a single, double and walk. She scored three runs.
The ever-improving Blissfieldgirls soccer team picked up its second win of the week last night, defeating Onsted 2-0.
Kenzy Speiser converted a pass from Emily Loar early in the first half for Blissfield’s first goal. Speiser then returned the favor, setting up Loar for a goal at the 33 minute mark of the second half to take a 2-0 lead. Cierra Sell made four saves in the shutout.
Coach Noel Moreno said his defense played a nearly perfect game, taking a lot of pressure of their junior goalkeeper, who earned her first shutout of the season.
The ever-improving girls soccer team picked up its second win of the week last night, defeating Onsted 2-0.
Kenzy Speiser converted a pass from Emily Loar early in the first half for Blissfield’s first goal. Speiser then returned the favor, setting up Loar for a goal at the 33 minute mark of the second half to take a 2-0 lead. Cierra Sell made four saves in the shutout.
Coach Noel Moreno said his defense played a nearly perfect game, taking a lot of pressure of their junior goalkeeper, who earned her first shutout of the season.
A young Whiteford Bobcats softball team (0-6) lost more than two games when they were swept at Blissfield (2-2) Thursday, 5-0 and 11-3.
Bobcats’ senior pitcher Jessie Seevers dislocated her knee while taking off for first base in the fourth inning of the opening game.
Blissfield’s senior starter Hannah McEwan started and won both games for the Royals. She threw a three-hit shutout in the opener, striking out 12 and walking two. In the second game she allowed an earned run on four hits and a walk in five innings of work. Jessica Martinez pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the Royals.
A young Whiteford Bobcats softball team l(0-6) ost more than two games when they were swept at Blissfield (2-2) Thursday, 5-0 and 11-3.
Bobcats’ senior pitcher Jessie Seevers dislocated her knee while taking off for first base in the fourth inning of the opening game.
The Blissfield Athletic Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2010 Hall of Fame class. The Induction Dinner will take place at 6 p.m., Sept. 25 at Blissfield High School.
The class is composed of Claude Sebring, Tom Billington, Beth Berry, Kyle Knoblauch, Gary Lombard and the 1976 and 1977 Blissfield state championship baseball teams.
The Blissfield Athletic Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2010 Hall of Fame class. The Induction Dinner will take place at 6 p.m., Sept. 25 at Blissfield High School.
• Claude Sebring – From the class of 1937, Sebring was an absolute stud on the pitcher’s mound. He averaged double-digit strikeouts including 17 in his last game. He played professionally in the Tigers minor league system until he was drafted into the army during WWII.
Blissfield defeated Jackson Parma, Fenton and Ann Arbor Pioneer to sweep its own invitational tournament Saturday. The Royals defeated Fenton, 4-1, then upended Parma, 9-3, before clinching the tournament with a 9-5 win over Pioneer.
Devin Moore, Devin Suiter and Eric Schmidt all started and won their games. Cody Spotts saved two games in relief. Travis Babbitt hit Blissfield's first dinger of the year.
Blissfield is 5-0.
For more information on the tournament, see Wednesday's edition of The Advance.
The video above includes highlights from the win over Pioneer.
Senior Hannah McEwan pitched a strong game but the Royals came up short in Saturday's season-opening 2-1 loss to Cabrini. Blissfield left a runner stranded on third in the bottom of the seventh.
The Royals weren't as sharp in the nightcap, making countless errors in a game that was called after five innings due to the mercy rule.
For more details, see Wednesday's edition of The Advance.
Eric Schmidt won the opener and Devin Suiter won the nightcap as the Royals opened the season by sweeping Belleville at home Tuesday afternoon. For more information, see Wednesday's edition of The Advance.
Blissfield’s varsity baseball team returned to the field in a scrimmage Saturday at Delta, Ohio.
The teams played nine innings to try to get several pitchers into the game. Blissfield scored 16 runs on 10 hits and 9 Delta errors. Delta scored three runs on nine hits and one Blissfield error.
“We have an early season scrimmage to find out what we have to work on. The nice thing about this group is that we have a lot of experience back. Working on it is just a matter of refreshing our memories,” said coach Larry Tuttle, who has guided the team to seven state titles and more than 1,000 victories in more than 40 years as skipper.
TECUMSEH – Blissfield’s girls exploded out of the blocks to start the 2010 track and field season. The Royals placed second behind the hosts in Wednesday’s Tecumseh Relays. The boys’ team, who graduated more than a dozen seniors since last year and had a couple injuries, finished well behind the leaders.
DEERFIELD — The third annual Border Wars dodgeball tournament was held at Deerfield Thursday night. Royal Pain defeated Black Demons to win the finals in Division One. In Division Two, Deerfield’s Balls of Fury defeated the Ninjas to take the championship. And the Blissfield Fire Department defeated Ida Richards, Police Explorers and Clayton Fire Department to win the final division.
DEERFIELD — The third annual Border Wars dodgeball tournament was held at Deerfield Thursday night. Royal Pain defeated Black Demons to win the finals in Division One. In Division Two, Deerfield’s Balls of Fury defeated the Ninjas to take the championship. And the Blissfield Fire Department defeated Ida Richards, Police Explorers and Clayton Fire Department to win the final division.
