DeWitt vs. Laingsburg – – Hall of Fame Softball Classic Semifinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – May 24, 2023 – – by Chuck Krafft

Tonight, DeWitt and Laingsburg will play in the first Semifinal of the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Softball Classic.

DeWitt got here by beating Eaton Rapids in the quarterfinal. 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/

Laingsburg got here by beating Fowlerville in the quarterfinal. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/05/23/fowlerville-vs-laingsburg-hall-of-fame-softball-classic-quarterfinal-the-bleacher-denizen-may-22-2023-by-chuck-krafft/

While we wait for the game to start, I hope you can enjoy this cover of the Tijuana Brass’ Lonely Bull! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmJmDiyf3ps

It’s a chilly day, but you’d never know that from the focus the players are putting into their warmups. The coin flip revealed that DeWitt will be the home team and Laingsburg will bat first.

Here are the starting lineups:

LAINGSBURG WOLFPACK:

Ashley Bila ss

Bella Latuszek 2b

Addyson Buchlin p

Savanna Stirm 1b

Haley Konieczny rf

Ellie Baynes 3b

Harper Strouse c

Alaina Asher lf

Ella Merrell cf

DEWITT PANTHERS:

Natalie Donaldson cf

Gabbie Brya 2b

Madeline Torrence 3b

Maddie Bekkering c

Lily Utrup lf

Megan Scaccia rf

Ruby Puck ss

Eliana Logan dp

Kennedy Goerge will play first base, but will not bat.

It is now time to look at the results of this game through the glazed eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was criticized for his lack of range in the infield when he attempted to play in the days of yore. To be fair, many people struggled with lateral mobility wearing the armor that was part of our uniforms in medieval times.

Ashley Bila singled and stole second base to open the top of the first inning for Laingsburg. DeWitt Pitcher Kyra Shadduck struck out the next batter. Addyson Buchin drew a walk. Makenna Johnston entered the game as a courtesy runner for Addyson Buchin. Kyra Shadduck struck out the next batter and got the inning’s final out on a fielder’s choice grounder to second base.

Natalee Donaldson beat out an infield single to open the bottom of the first inning for DeWitt and took second base on a sacrifice bunt by Gabbie Brya. The next DeWitt batter was out on a fly to center field. Natalie Donaldson was able to get third base on an overthrow. Because the overthrow went into the dugout, she was awarded an extra base, so she scored. Laingsburg Pitcher Addyson Buchin retired the next batter on a bouncer to the pitching circle to end the inning.

DeWitt scored one run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Panther Pitcher Kyra Shadduck retired the three Laingsburg batters in the second inning on a strikeout, a grounder to third base and another strikeout.

Wolfpack Pitcher Addyson Buchin retired the three Panther hitters in the bottom of the second inning on a grounder to shortstop, a strikeout and a grounder to second base.

With two full innings in the books, DeWitt had a 1-0 lead.

Kyra Shadduck struck out the Laingsburg leadoff batter to open the first inning. Ashley Bila legged out a double down the left field line. Ashley Bila stole third base and came home when an error was made on the play. Kyra Shadduck struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Laingsburg scored one run in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 1-1.

Addyson Buchin retired the three DeWitt hitters in the bottom of the third inning on a grounder to shortstop, a strikeout and a grounder to shortstop.

Savanna Stirm singled to left field to open the top of the fourth inning for the Wolfpack. Kyra Shadduck struck out the next batter. Ellie Baynes singled up the middle. Savanna Stirm was able to slide under a tag and made it to third base Ellie Baynes took second base on the throw. Kyra Shadduck struck out the next batter and got the third out on a bouncer to the pitcher to hold Laingsburg scoreless for the inning

Gabbie Brya beat out an infield single to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning for the Panthers and took second base on a wild pitch. Kyra Shadduck lined a single to left field and drove Gabbie Brya home. Jaydin Jubeck entered the game as a courtesy runner for Kyra Shadduck.

Addyson Buchin struck out the next batter. Jaydin Jubeck was out at second and Maddie Bekkering safe at first base on a bunt fo the mound. Briala Lopez entered the game as a courtesy runner for Maddie Bekkering; she took second base when LIly Utrup was safe on an error. Addyson Buchin struck out the next batter to end the inning.

DeWitt scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

Kyra Shadduck retired the three Wolfpack batters in the top of the fifth inning on a strikeout, a fly to center field and a grounder to the shortstop after it ticked off the pitcher’s glove.

Addyson Buchin retired the three DeWitt hitters in the bottom of the fifth inning on a fly to shortstop, a grounder to second base and a grounder to third base.

Kyra Shadduck retired the first two Laingsburg batters in the top of the sixth inning on a fly to center field and a grounder to third base. Haley Konieczny beat out an infield single. Kyra Shadduck struck out the next batter to end the inning.

Addyson Buchin retired the DeWitt leadoff batter in the bottom of the sixth inning on a popup to second base. Kyra Shadduck belted a solo home run over the right field fence. DeWitt’s next batter was out on a grounder to the shortstop. Maddie Bekkering doubled on a grounder that went out to the left field fence. Wolfpack Center Fielder Ella Merrell made a great running grab of a bid for a single by Lily Utrup to end the inning.

DeWitt scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend its lead to 3-1.

Kyra Shadduck struck out the first two Wolfpack hitters in the top of the seventh inning. Ella Merrell singled to right field. Kyra Shadduck retired the next hitter on a fly to center field to end the game.

DeWitt won the game 3-1 and will play in Friday’s final against the winner of the Holt/Leslie game in the other semifinal.

Ashley Bila had a single and a double for Laingsburg. Savanna Stirm, Haley Konieczny, Ellie Baynes and Ella Merrell each had a single.

Addyson Buchin pitched the complete game for Laingsburg. She allowed three runs (only two earned runs), five hits and struck out four batters.

Kyra Shadduck had a home run, a single and two RBI for DeWitt. Maddie Bekkering contributed a double. Natalie Donaldson and Gabbie Brya each had a single.

Kyra Shadduck pitched the complete game for DeWitt. She allowed only one unearned run and six hits while striking out thirteen batters.

Leslie won the second game of the night and will play DeWitt in the final of the Hall of Fame Softball Classic on Friday. Here is a play by play of that game. https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2023/05/25/holt-vs-leslie-hall-of-fame-softball-classic-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-may-24-2023-by-chuck-krafft/