Fowlerville vs. Laingsburg – – Hall of Fame Softball Classic Quarterfinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – May 22, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

In the second game of this year’s Hall of Fame Softball Classic, the Gladiators of Fowlerville will take on the Wolfpack from Laingsburg. Kudos to both these teams for having seasons that made them worthy of inclusion in this event!!

Here is a link from the first of tonight’s Quarterfinal Games. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/05/22/eaton-rapids-vs-dewitt-hall-of-fame-softball-classic-quarterfinal-the-bleacher-denizen-may-22-2023-by-chuck-krafft/

As we wait for the game to start, why don’t we listen to this tune from my You Tube Channel. You never know where the Red River Valley may lead you!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03AhhNk1M8

Fowlerville will bat first.

Here are the starting lineups:

LAINGSBURG WOLFPACK:

Ashley Bila ss

Bella Latuszek 2b

Addyson Buchin p

Savanna Stirm 1b

Haley Konieczny rf

Ellie Baynes 3b

Harper Strouse c

Alaina Asher lf

Ella Merrell cf

FOWLERVILLE GLADIATORS:

Molly Lamar ss

Kiely Davis 3b

Tori Briggs p

Tommi Kleinschmidt cf

Angelle Haan c

Katie Bigos 1b

Meadow Browne dp

Ella Olrich 2b

McKenna Maybee rf

Tara Peterson will play left field, but will not bat.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the eager, if aging, eyes of an ancient Bleacher Denizen who did not make much of an impact in the baseball or softball world when he was considered to be “young.” Alas, he was not able to hold his own in the outfield after the powers that be decreed he was no longer allowed to use a bushel basket to catch fly balls in the outfield. Life can be tough!

Wolfpack Pitcher Addyson Buchin struck out the first two Gladiator hitters to open the game and got the next hitter on a grounder to shortstop for the third out.

Fowlerville Pitcher Tori Briggs retired the Laingsburg leadoff batter on a grounder to the shortstop. Gladiator Left Fielder Tara Peterson made a nice catch running in to record the second Wolfpack out. Tori Briggs struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Laingsburg Pitcher Addyson Buchin retired the three Fowlerville batters in the second inning on a grounder to third base, a popup to second base and a grounder to second base.

Fowlerville Pitcher Tori Briggs retired the Laingsburg leadoff batter in the second inning on a fly to second base. Haley Konieczny lined a single to center field. Fowlerville Right Fielder McKenna Maybee alertly backed up first base to keep Haley Konieczny from advancing on an errant pickoff throw. Tori Briggs struck out the next Wolfpack batter.

After two innings, the game was tied at 0-.

Addyson Buchin struck out the first two Gladiator batters in the top of the third inning. McKenna Maybee beat out a bunt single. Fowlerville made its third out on a fly to the shortstop.

Tori Briggs struck out the Laingsburg leadoff batter in the bottom of the third inning. Ella Merrell belted a double to deep left-center field. Ella Merrell took third base when Ashley Bila was safe on an infield single. Ashley Bila went to second base on a throw to third base. Bella Latuszek pounded a double off the right-center field fence to drive in Ella Merrell and Ashley Bila.

Bella Latuszek went to third base on a wild pitch. Bella Latuszek scored when Addyson Buchin was safe at first base on an error. Addyson Buchin took second base when Savanna Stirm was safe at first base on an error. Fowlerville Shortstop Molly Lamar knocked down a hot shot by Haley Konieczny and forced Addyson Buchin at third base. Savanna Stirm advanced to second base and Haley Konieczny was safe at first base.

Savanna Stirm took third base and Haley Konieczny second on a wild pitch. Ellie Baynes walked; when ball four was a wild pitch, Savanna Stirm scored and Haley Konieczny took third base. Ellie Baynes went to second base on a wild pitch. Haley Konieczny scored and Ellie Baynes also scored on consecutive wild pitches.

Harper Strouse was safe at first on an error. Alaina Asher drilled a single to right field and Harper Strouse went to third base. Gladiator Third Baseman Kiely Davis made a great play on Ella Merrell’s bunt with a quick throw to first base to record the third out.

Laingsburg scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to go up 6-0.

Kiely Davis led off the top of the fourth inning for Fowlerville with a single to right field. Wolfpack Pitcher Addyson Buchin retired the next three hitters on a fly to right field, a strikeout and a grounder to second base to end the inning.

Ashley Bila walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning for Laingsburg. Bella Latuszek rifled a single to right field. Ashley Bila went all the way to third base and Bella Latuszek took second base on a throw to third base. Addison Buchin lined a single to right field to drive in Ashley Bila and Bella Latuszek. MaKenna Johnston entered the game as a courtesy runner for Addison Buchin.

MaKenna Johnston went to second base when Savanna Stirm was safe at first base on an error. Haley Konieczny walked to load the bases. Ellie Baynes singled up the middle to drive MaKenna Johnston and Savanna Stirm home. Haley Konieczny went to third base and Ellie Baynes took second base on a throw to third base. Harper Strouse doubled to center field to drive in Haley Konieczny and Ellie Baynes. Harper Strouse came all the way home to score on a couple overthrows.

Tara Peterson took over pitching duties for Fowlerville.

Alaina Asher doubled to right-center field. Pinch Hitter Willow Patterson was hit by a pitch. Ashley Bila lined a single to right field to drive in Alaina Asher. Fowlerville Catcher Angelle Haan fired to third base to catch the runner trying to advance as Ashley Bila went to second base. Haley Cronk lined a single to right field to move Ashley Bila to third base. Ashley Bila scored on Addison Buchin’s sacrifice fly to right field to end the game.

Laingsburg scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 15-0 lead. The game was ended because of the mercy rule.

Laingsburg will face DeWitt in the semifinal game on Wednesday.

Kiely Davis and McKenna Maybee each had a single for Fowlerville.

Bella Latuszek had a double, a single and two RBI for Laingsburg. Alaina Asher had a double and a single. Harper Strouse had a double and two RBI. Ella Merrell had a double. Addyson Buchin, the player of the game had a single and four RBI. Ellie Baynes had a single and two RBI. Ashley Bila, Haley Konieczny, and Willow Patterson each had a single.

Addyson Buchlin pitched a complete game four inning two hit shutout for Laingsburg and struck out five batters.