Milan outslugs Airport 10-6 in Huron League softball showdown
MILAN – It’s about time for Milan’s softball team to pop into the Division 2 state rankings.
The Big Reds boast a 14-1 record with the only setback coming defending state runner-up Whiteford in a 1-0 battle.
Milan put another star on its sparkling resume by beating No. 10 Airport 10-6 Tuesday to take sole possession of first place in the Huron League.
“This is a big win,” Milan coach Kirk Davis said. “We knew they were ranked in Division 2.”
Milan wasted no time taking charge Tuesday, scoring four times in the bottom of the first inning.
“We can hit all the way through the lineup,” Davis said. “We like to stay aggressive.”
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Leila Daniels homered and doubled, MacKenzie Crysler drove in three runs and winning pitcher Mariah Stines racked up 10 strikeouts for Milan.
Airport coach Jess Irwin said it was a nightmare start for her young squad.
“That was the key,” she said of the first inning. “You can’t give them that and put yourselves in a hole.”
Airport had just three seniors in the starting lineup including one as the designated hitter. The infield was filled with sophomores.
Yet the Jets own a 13-4 record. Tuesday was their first Huron League loss. They are 5-1 in the league and trail 6-0 Milan.
“It’s incredible,” Irwin said of her team’s start. “The future is bright.”
RaeAnn Drummond, Danielle Dalpiaz and Ciera Boitnott logged two hits each for Airport. Dalpiaz drove in three runs and Drummond doubled, homered and drove in two runs.
PREP SOFTBALL
Dundee works quickly
DUNDEE – Dundee needed just six innings to rack up 32 runs in a pair of 16-0, 3-inning wins over Hillsdale Tuesday.
Shay VanZandt delivered the biggest hit of the day, belting her first career grand slam.
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Lauren Doane and Kaylee Imo earned the pitching wins and Kiernan Brown, Kennedy Irwin, Natalie Rath and Imo were other hitting stars.
Piepsney leads SMCC
FLAT ROCK – Freshman Olivia Piepsney used her arm and her bat to propel St. Mary Catholic Central to a 5-3 victory over Flat Rock Tuesday.
She threw a strong game and went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI. Her home run in the seventh inning snapped a 3-3 tie. Faith Dean, Camryn Gee, Jada Worrell and Callie Cousino all made great defensive plays and Tori Busen went 2-for-4.
Ida avoids sweep
IDA – Ida scored eight runs in the final three innings to salvage the second game of a doubleheader against Hudson 12-6 Tuesday.
Reese Hennessey and Summer Smith collected two hits and three RBI for the Blue Streaks. Alli Schrader and Madi McCain drove in two runs each. Libbie Wolfenbarger got the win in relief.
Ida dropped the opener 2-0 despite outhitting their opponents 5-3. Smith was 2-for-3 and McKenna Tarry pitched well.
“We hit the ball hard all night, just right at people,” Ida coach Chelsea Brancheau said. “We are starting to turn the corner in the right direction.”
PREP BASEBALL
Mills stays hot
CARLETON – Jack Mills, who blasted a pair of home runs with nine RBI Saturday during a sweep of Belleville, went deep again and drove in five runs Monday as Airport (9-4) whipped Milan 12-0 Tuesday.
Sean Langton added two hits and three RBI to support winning pitcher Casey Monroe.
Ida completes sweep
IDA – Ida won the first game despite managing just four hits then racked up 10 hits in the second to sweep Hudson 4-1 and 6-5 Tuesday.
Camden Riggs drove in two runs in the opener then went 3-for-4 with two more RBI in the second. Owen Snyder and Jaxon Millican each earned a pitching win and had two hits in the second game. Noah Adkins came to the mound to finish both games for the 10-6 Blue Streaks.
Dundee rally falls short
DUNDEE – Dundee charged back from a 12-2 deficit in the fifth inning, but fell 17-10 to Hillsdale Tuesday.
The Vikings racked up 13 hits led by Joey Brink and Quinton Lephew with three each and Chris LaFountain with two.
Dundee led 7-1 in the second game when it was suspended by darkness in the third inning.
PREP GOLF
Monroe’s best not enough
MONROE – Monroe shot 163 for its best round of the season, but finished behind Saline (155) and Bedford (159) at Carrington Golf Club Tuesday.
Bedford’s Carter Klawonn was the medalist with 37 and teammate Connor Urbanski checked in at 38.
Brenden McCullouch led Monroe with a 38.
PREP TENNIS
SMCC tied up
RIVERVIEW – Molly Blanchett, Annaliese Flint and Elizabeth Zwack dropped just four total games in taking the first three singles flights for St. Mary Catholic Central in a 4-4 tie with Riverview Tuesday.
The other win for Claire Leach and Hannah Borer at No. 1 doubles.
Dexter nips Monroe
MONROE – Abella Hellenberg, Allie Wells and Allison Case-Bailey Benvenuto were winners for Monroe in a 5-3 loss to Dexter Tuesday.
Carlson’s singles sweep
GIBRALTAR – Addyson Brake, Erin Riley, Rylie Sulewski and Julie Mitchell swept the singles for Gibraltar Carlson in a 6-2 win over Wyandotte Roosevelt Tuesday.
Brooklyn Roldan-Delaney Boller and Lila Angelos-Madison Jacobs were doubles winners for the 7-1-1 Marauders.
PREP SOCCER
Bedford blanked
TEMPERANCE – Bedford suffered an 8-0 loss to Ann Arbor Skyline Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: Milan takes sole possession of first in Huron League
