By Chad Wingert (Contact / Staff Bio)
June 13, 2009 - 07:23 a.m. EST

BATTLE CREEK — For the second game in a row, it only took Reese one run to advance to the next game of the MHSAA Division 3 Playoffs.

But this time, they will be going where no Rocket's team has ever gone before.

Reese will have the opportunity to play for the first state title in school history, as if the game needed any more meaning.

"Tonight was really exciting, and now, to be the first Reese team to make it this far is awesome," Reese senior pitcher Abbey Harrington said. "I cannot wait for tomorrow."

Harrington and the Rockets were able to scrape together a win by producing one run for the second game in a row. Something that baffles Harrington, yet allows her to credit her teammates.

"It's crazy how much one run has helped us win these past two games," Harrington said. "It's also great to be able to rely on the defense behind you."

Harrington may credit her defense, but she is no slouch on the mound. The senior pitcher has yet to walk a batter in the postseason, let alone in the past two months, according to Reese head coach Andy Behmlander.

"She has walked 10 all year and hasn't walked anyone in playoffs. I Don't know if she has walked anyone in past two months," Behmlander says with a smile. "She knows where the ball is going, every single pitch."

Harrington struck out 14 batters and allowed just two hits in the Rockets 1-0 victory over Bronson. Reese will now prepare for a team they have seen once already this year, Gladstone.

The Rocket's defeated Gladstone earlier this season during a weekend tournament in Petoskey. But it comes as no surprise that Behmlander and the Rockets will see them again.

"We know them and they know us," Behmlander said. "They have a great program and it dosent really surprise me that they won today."

Through all the small ball tactics of the Rockets, Behmlander still credits his defense for holding his opponents scoreless this postseason.

"We keep scratching out runs and winning games, but its our defense and our pitching that is really standing up," Behmlander said. "I think that really shows in the fact that we haven't given up a run yet this postseason."

Kaitlyn Squanda led the Rockets offense with two hits and a run scored while Alex Toma tallied the other hit for Reese.

"We don't necessarily get a lot of hits," Behmlander said. "But we put the ball in play and make the other team make plays."

And that was exactly what happened tonight for Reese as Bronson's catcher overthrew first base on a pickoff attempt, sending Squanda to second, and eventually scoring on a Toma double.

So Reese will try to make history Saturday (Today) at 5:30 p.m. as well as defying the odds of superstition according to Behmlander.

"Last time we came down here, we lost in the Semi-Finals," Behmlander said. "Well today, we had the same bus driver, stayed in the same hotel room and played on the same diamond. We didn't tell the girls, but I'm even more happy we advanced now."