Eaton Rapids vs. Grand Ledge – – Hall of Fame Softball Classic Quarterfinal – – The Bleacher Denizen – – May 20, 2026 – – by Chuck Krafft

The rains came Monday; mercifully they stopped before Lansing had to commission a fleet of arks to save everyone. Today, it’s a bit cold, but the field should be nice and dry.

So the BleacherDenizenMobile is pointed at Ranney Park, where the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Game is holding the quarterfinal games of its annual Softball Classic! In tonight’s first game, the Greyhounds from Eaton Rapids will face the Comets from Grand Ledge.

As we wait for the game to begin, I hope you will enjoy this cover of “God Bless the USA” from my You Tube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ePjJiWG5OY

Here are the starting lineups. Grand Ledge will be the home team and Eaton Rapids will bat first.

EATON RAPIDS

Mallory Smith c

Abi Pratt ss

Kalli Ordiway p

Maddy Putnam cf

Taylor Orta lf

Danika Finch 1b

Chloe Johnson rf

Mae Schutte 3b

Haileigh Clarke 2b

GRAND LEDGE

Indya Fitzpatrick ss

Kailey Nelson rf

Jade Queen cf

Amelia Bernard c

Tomia Geter p

Abigail Fiero 1b

Bella Perez lf

Addison McLean ss

Hailey Pitsch dp

Addison Navin will play second base, but will not bat.

It is now time to review the events of this game through the somewhat observant eyes of an Aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to get much of a softball career going. It seems that coaches and umpires were not able to appreciate his creative approach to base running.

While other base runners mindless ran the bases clockwise and touched first base first, the Bleacher Denizen enjoyed watching what could happen if he creatively ran counter-clockwise and touched third base first. Umpires refused to open themselves to the possibilities of creative base running and called the Bleacher Denizen out every time they got a chance. As the outs piled up, the Bleacher Denizen’s playing time dried up.

Despite a great diving attempt by Grand Ledge Shortstop Addison McLean, Mallory Smith beat out an infield single to lead off the top of the first inning for Eaton Rapids. Grand Ledge Pitcher Tomia Geter retired the next three Greyhound hitters on a popup to the pitcher followed by two strikeouts.

Indya Fitzpatrick walked to lead off the top of the first inning for Grand Ledge. Indya Fitzpatrick took second base on a sacrifice bunt by Kailey Nelson and went to third base on a single to left field by Jade Queen. Amelia Bernard singled to left field to drive Indya Fitzpatrick home. Jade Queen went to second base. Charleigh Lipsey entered the game as a courtesy runner for Amelia Bernard.

Jade Queen was out at third base and Tomia Geter safe at first base on a fielder’s choice grounder to the pitcher. Charleigh Lipsey advanced to second base and took third base on a throwing error. Kalli Ordiway struck out the next Comet hitter to end the inning.

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

Tomia Geter struck out the Greyhound leadoff batter in the top of the second inning. Danika Finch walked. Chloe Johnson singled up the middle and Danika Finch advanced to second base. Tomia Geter struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Eaton Rapids Left Fielder Taylor Orta made a fine catch running back to retire the Grand Ledge leadoff batter in the top of the second inning. Eaton Rapids Pitcher Kalli Ordiway retired the next two Comet hitters on a popup to second base and a grounder to second base to end the inning.

Tomia Geter retired the three Eaton Rapids hitters in the third inning on a strikeout, a popup to the shortstop and another strikeout.

Indya Fitzpatrick walked to lead off the bottom of the third inning for Grand Ledge and went to second base on a passed ball. Kalli Ordiway retired the next Comet hitter on a grounder to the shortstop. Grand Ledge first baseman Abigail Fiero made a great play to hold the runner at second base. Jade Queen blooped a single to left field. Indya Fitzpatrick had to hold at second base.

Indya Fitzpatrick was out at third base and Amelia Bernard safe at first base on a fielder’s choice grounder to the shortstop. Jade Queen advanced to second base. Charleigh Lipsey entered the game as a courtesy runner for Amelia Bernard. Kalli Ordiway struck out the next batter to end the inning.

After three innings, Grand Ledge had a 1-0 lead.

Maddy Putnam walked to lead off the top of the fourth inning for Eaton Rapids. Tomia Geter struck out the next Greyhound hitter. Maddy Putnam took second base on a groundout to second base by Danika Finch. Eaton Rapids made its third out on a fly to center field.

Abigail Fiero was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning for Grand Ledge and went to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Bella Perez. Abigail Fiero advanced to third base on a groundout to second base by Addison McLean. Hailey Pitsch singled to right field to drive Abigail Fiero home. Kalli Ordiway retired the next Comet batter on a line drive to the pitcher to end the inning.

Grand Ledge scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning to boost its lead to 2-0.

Tomia Geter struck out the first two Greyhound batters in the top of the fifth inning. Mallory Smith dropped a single down the right field line. Tomia Geter retired the next hitter on a sharp line drive right at the second baseman to end the inning.

Eaton Rapids third baseman made a great pick of a shot by Kailey Nelson to get the first Comet out of the bottom of the fifth inning. Jade Queen lined a single to left field. Kalli Ordiway retired the next two Comet batters on a fly to left field and a grounder to second base to end the inning.

Tomia Geter retired the Eaton Rapids leadoff batter in the top of the sixth inning on a groundout to second base. Maddy Putnam singled to right field. Tomia Geter struck out the next two Greyhound batters to end the inning.

Abigail Fiero was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning for Grand Ledge. Greyhound First Baseman Danika Finch made an excellent play to catch a foul bunt on the fly to record the first Comet out of the inning. Abigail Fiero advanced to second base when Addison McLean was safe at first base on an error. Kalli Ordiway retired the next two hitters on a fly to right field and a foul popup to the shortstop to end the inning.

With six innings completed, Grand Ledge still has a 2-0 lead.

Tomia Geter retired the three Greyhound batters in the top of the seventh inning on a line drive to the shortstop, a strikeout and a bouncer to first base.

Tomia Geter pitched a complete game shutout and gave up only four hits while striking out thirteen batters. She was named player of the game!!

Mallory Smith had two singles for Eaton Rapids. Maddy Putnam and Chloe Johnson had one single.

Kalli Ordiway pitched a complete game for the Greyhounds. She gave up only two runs and five hits while striking out two batters.

Jade Queen had three singles for Grand Ledge. Amelia Bernard and Hailey Pitsch each had one single and one RBI.