C-L girls seeking Junior state title

Andy Young CROSWELL - Playing under a glaring spotlight a year ago, and playing very well, has the Cros-Lex girls full of confidence as they try for a second straight State title in softball.

Many of the same girls that are now on this 13-14 year old team, advanced to the Little League Softball World Series and finished third overall last summer. Now, after winning the District 7 title nearly two weeks ago, the C-L girls will compete at the Michigan Junior League State Tournament held in Melvindale, beginning this Friday. The State winner then advances to the Central Regional championships in Elyria, Ohio, August 6-11. From the regional, the champion advances to the Junior League World Series in Kirkland, Washington (Aug. 15-21).

The Pioneers open State play at 1 p.m. Friday against the District 5 champion (out of the Lincoln Park area) in the double elimination tournament. The winner would play the District 3 winner (which had a first round bye) at at 3 p.m. while the other team falls into the losers bracket and will play next on Saturday at 12 Noon. All games are played at a complex located on Allen Road and Elizabeth in Melvindale.

Andy Young, an assistant coach with the Cros-Lex 11-12 year old group a year ago, manages the Junior team. He does not hesitate to say his squad will compete strongly against some more experienced squads.

“I think we’ll do well. I don’t think there is any team there that’s going to blow us out,” said Young in a straightforward manner. “We are one of the younger teams there, for sure. But, once you get girls that are 13-14-15 year-olds, the play levels out well, talent-wise.”

Last summer, one of the strengths for the Cros-Lex team was having four pitchers of nearly equal ability. Young has five solid pitchers. However, this time around, depth will not mean as much.

In the Little League tournament, the rules were any pitcher that threw more than two innings in one day, could not pitch the next day. In the Junior League, pitchers are limited to five innings in a game, any day.

“In all of our travel tournaments this summer, there haven’t been many pitching limitations,” noted Young. “So, that (rule) does not help us much. But, it does for other teams who have one or two strong pitchers. A lot of teams do well because they can pitch the same pitcher.”

Regardless, Young thinks his team has the talent and the savvy to play at this next level this weekend.

“They’re definitely ready. They’re ready for the big competition,” he added. “As far as the big stage, they’ve been there the last four, five, six years. They are confident with it.”

There will be 14 district champions competing in the in the state Junior League event, which concludes on Tuesday, August 3. The finals of the losers bracket takes place on Monday, August 2. The championship game (or games) then follow on Tuesday.

“I don’t know what our competition will be,” said Young, looking ahead to the tournament. “But, you always have to worry about Mattawan, Exscanaba, Gladstone and a few others that just always have good programs.

“This should be a tournament that nobody walks away with.”

Croswell-Lexington Junior League Softball Team Roster

Players: Courtney Farr (LF); Kylee Barrett (P/SS); Abby Bringard (P/1B); Hayley Church (C/RF); Sadie Overland (P/3b); Rachel Schadd (P/LF); Sydney Church (2B/LF); Brooke Smith (CF); Victoria Bender (C/RF); Megan Guitar (P/SS)

Manager - Andy Young; Head Assistant Coach - Leroy Guitar; Assistant Coaches - Bob Young, Chris Smith