Friday's preps: Defense seals Madison Heights Lamphere softball victory
Madison Heights Lamphere softball coach Don Mullen has seen a lot in 20 seasons at the helm, but he thinks this year’s team might be the best he’s ever had defensively.
“Our defense has been up and down the last couple years, but tonight we played very solidly defensively, and that’s why we won the game,” Mullen said.
Senior shortstop Julia Roel made several outstanding plays in the field, including a catch in shallow center field to cut a Warren Mott rally short and help secure a 6-3 for Lamphere on Friday afternoon in MAC Silver action at Mott.
Roel’s catch came in the fourth inning, with two runners in scoring position, after Mott (1-2, 0-1) had already scored three runs to cut into a Lamphere (2-1, 1-0) lead.
Senior catcher Alexis Wark had a double, a single, an RBI and four runs for Lamphere, and has been key in its defensive renaissance.
“I’ve been lucky to have her,” Mullen said about Wark. “She’s been on varsity all four years. She’s had no passed balls this year and she’s already thrown out three people trying to steal second.”
Rachael Shorrn hit the winning RBI for Lamphere in the top of the fourth and pitched a complete game, only allowing six hits.
“She shut them down, especially in the later innings,” Mullen said.
Allison Sitek went 3-for-3 with an RBI to lead Mott.
More softball
Warren Woods Tower 14, Sterling Heights 13: Isabella Cofer went 3-for-3 and had three RBIs, Vhyness Austero went 1-for-4 and had a home run, and Richelle Michalak got the win for Tower (2-1).
Baseball
Birmingham Groves 8, Walled Lake Central 2: George Cutler went 2-for-3 and had two RBIs and one run, Roger Motley went 2-for-2 and had a double, two runs, two walks and two stolen bases, Ari Sherman got the win, and Tyler Newitt pitched three scoreless innings in relief for Groves (4-0). Makaio Madsen went 1-for-1 with a walk and RBI for Central.
Detroit Central 8, Detroit CMA 7 (6 inn.): Aireonte Washington and Damario Bell combined to strike out nine batters while Bell went 1-for-2 and scored two runs for Central (1-0 PSL West). Phillip Whittenton also scored two runs. CMA falls to 0-1 PSL West.
Detroit Osborn 12, Detroit Delta Prep 4: Isaiah Watts struck out 10, Tieonta Waters went 2-for-2 and had three RBIs, Tommie Waters went 3-for-3 and had one RBI, and Jason Alonzo went 3-for-3 for Osborn (3-1, 1-0 PSL East 2). Robert Beatty struck out eight for Delta Prep (1-2, 1-0).
Grosse Pointe South 9, Grosse Pointe North 5: Davis Graham went 2-for-4 and had a home run and five RBIs, Steve Cavera went 2-for-3 and had a home run and two RBIs, Cam Shook got the win while pitching 5⅔ innings and allowing one run, and Nate Budziak struck out three and got the save for South (6-0). North is 3-1.
Harper Woods Chandler Park 12, Dearborn Henry Ford 0: Andre Hutchins pitched a complete game, allowing no runs and striking out 10, and Deonte Hughes-Adam went 2-for-2 and had four runs for Chandler Park.
Taylor Trillium Academy 18, Detroit University Prep Science & Math (4inn.): Holden Wilde and Branden Elders each had three hits and three RBIs while Seth Thompson struck out eight in four innings to pick up the win for Trillium (4-1, 1-0 Michigan Metro Athletic Conference).
Eric Coughlin is a freelance writer