By Jon Sicotte
Posted June 13, 2008

A small game summary here: read more in Saturday's Advertiser. Box score HERE.

By Jon Sicotte
Sports Editor
BATTLE CREEK -- The Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School softball team dodged many bullets Friday morning.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, it was just two plays that ruined a chance at a third straight Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state title.
Allen Park-Cabrini scored one run in the bottom of the fifth and added a disputed sacrifice fly run in the sixth to give the Monarchs their third straight shot at a state title – this time a level higher – with a 2-1 win over USA.
“With good defense, you can dodge bullets and we have good defense,” USA head coach Lary Houthoofd said. “My kids played their hearts out and we couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The winning run was scored as Amanda Redwine slid into home plate and was called safe on a sacrifice fly from No. 9 batter, Sondra Plante.
The Monarchs (37-2-1) will meet Galesburg-Augusta (39-3) at 11 a.m. today in the D3 state final after the Rams defeated Gladstone, 3-0, in 14 innings.
USA had its shot to tie in the seventh.
Mercy Martinez led off with a single and advanced to second on a bunt hit by pinch-hitter Jenny Williamson. Martinez got to third on a sac fly by Katie Schaus, who drove the ball to center field, but a groundout ended the game as Monarch pitcher Katie Osburn was able to get a two-strike count on Minda Martinez.
Houthoofd was just one batter away from Treiber – which may have changed the whole complexity of the game.
“We’ve got a good hitting team and anyone can hit one at any time,” Houthoofd said. ”I was just hoping she (Treiber) could have gotten back up (to bat) in that last inning to see what happens.
“I’m not disappointed. They played hard.”
Redwine led the way with two hits while Plante added the only RBI.
Mercy Martinez went 2-for-3 while Treiber, Dani Gremel, Marissa Lemere, Jenny Williamson and Schaus all added hits.
Lemere took the loss as she allowed five hits and one earned run with striking out five.
Osburn finished with nine strikeouts.