USA catcher Breanna Dinnsmoore looks to fire a throw during a post season game last year. Dinnsmoore leads the Patriots offensively with 10 home runs and a .462 batting average, and will try to get USA back to the State Finals.
By Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
SEBEWAING — The USA Patriots have been preparing for tournament play all season.
After losing a heartbreaker to Gladstone 2-1 in last season’s State Finals game, the Patriots beefed up their schedule this season, and are stronger than ever.
USA finished the season with a 31-3 record, including a 10-0 conference record and are currently ranked #1 in Division 4. During conference play the Patriots were no match for the rest of the Greater Thumb West Division as they outscored their opponents 104-4.
USA has been playing in softball tournaments across the state almost every weekend, and have faced off against teams ranging from Division 1 to Division 4. Earlier this season the Patriots won the Michigan Blue Chip Best of Michigan High School Showcase Tournament, which featured some of the top softball programs in the state. This past weekend USA won the Midland Invitational, beating Pinconning (#8 Div. #3), Farwell (#9 Div. #3) and Bay City Western, who are the reigning champions in Div. #1.
The Patriots have done all this without ace pitcher Erica Treiber, who has been out for most of the season with a dislocated elbow.
Nikki Bauer has stepped up, and filled the role of team ace very nicely this season however, compiling 19 wins, 156 strikeouts in 122 innings, and a dazzling 0.46 earned run average.
Bauer has also been big at the plate, with a .462 batting average, 15 doubles, and 42 runs batted in. Breanna Dinsmoore, a Saginaw Valley State University softball commit, directs the Patriot pitching staff behind the plate, and has been dominant at the plate, with a .452 batting average 10 home runs and 44 RBIs. Sara Reinhardt, a sophmore has capitalized on having two strong hitters behind her, as she has scored 38 runs on 37 hits this season.
If the bats and arms stay hot, the Patriots could make a deep run in the playoffs, and with the experience that they have gained this season, could be on their way to East Lansing once again.
Division 3 @ Brown City
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — 4:30 p.m. – Brown City vs. Millington
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Vassar vs. LakeVille
30 minutes after first game – Millington/Brown City winner vs. Reese
Finals — 30 minutes after last semifinal game; winnner advances to regional at Reese
Overview: If Millington gets past host Brown City in the opening round of district play, it will set up an interesting matchup with Reese. Millington is led by ace pitcher Taylor Wright, who helped lead the Cardinals to the Tuscola County Tournament championship, where they defeated Ubly, who was ranked #5 in the state prior to that game. Reese has started heating up at the plate, as they scored 30 runs in a double-header with Essexville-Garber, and 22 in the tournament that they hosted this past weekend. Carlee Selle has been fantastic at the plate all season, as she sports a .528 batting average, with three home runs, six triples and 38 runs batted in. Selle, a catcher, has also guided the Rocket pitching staff that features Mackenzie Coulter (2.02 earned run average, 144 strikeouts) and Kaylee Roles (2.01 ERA, 77 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched).
Division 4 @ Kingston
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — 4:00 p.m. – Landmark Academy vs. Mayville
Friday, May 30th
Semifinals — 9 a.m. – Kingston vs. Mayville
11 a.m. – Peck vs. Carsonville-Port Sanilac
Finals — 1:00 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Mayville
Overview: If Mayville can beat Landmark Academy in the first round of the district, it will set up an exciting matchup between two North Central Thumb League teams that finshed near the top of the conference this past season. Mayville swept Kingston in an early non-conference double-header winning 15-0, and 12-8, but both teams finished the regular season with identical 8-2 NCTL records. The Wildcats are led by freshman pitcher Lauryn Frenzel, who has compiled 10 wins this season, including three no-hitters. Hunter Wilson provides the offense for Mayville, as she has plenty of extra base power. The Kingston offense has been on fire lately (50 runs in their last four games), and are led by Cira Skinner (.377 batting average, 35 runs batted in), Alli Bundschuh (.351 BA, 28 runs scored), and Cassidy MacGuire (.333 BA, 27 walks drawn).
Division 2 @ Imlay City
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — Yale vs. Imlay City
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – North Branch vs. Armada
12 noon – Croswell-Lexington vs. Yale/Imlay City winner
Finals — 30 minutes following last semifinal; winner advances to regional at Armada
Overview: North Branch (21-7, 12-2) carries a four game winning streak into district play. The Broncos finished second in the Tri Valley East Conference this season. North Branch is led by pitcher Kyla Dutcher, who can go the distance in any game, and their lineup features two big bats in the middle in Jackie Jones and Alyssa DeMeyers. North Branch lost two games to Croswell-Lexington (20-2, 12-1) 1-0, and 9-5, but hopes to get a rematch with the Pioneers in the district final.
Division 3 @ Marlette
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — 5 p.m. – Marlette vs. Lakers
Friday, May 29th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Cass City vs. Bad Axe
12 noon – Marlette/Lakers winner vs. Sandusky
Finals — 2 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Reese
Overview: Sandusky seems to be the favorite as they finished the season with a 9-1 conference record, including a sweep of Marlette, but Cass City is playing the best softball they have all season. The Redhawks currently have won eight straight games, and have swept Harbor Brach, Memphis, Vassar, and Kingston. Cass City has outscored their opponents 62-17 during thier winning streak, and have been lead by Sayge Cuthrell, and Meagan LeValley offensively. Cuthrell has a .492 batting average, and has scored 29 runs on the season, while LeValley holds a .345 batting average and has driven in 13 runs. If Cass City can keep up their strong hitting, they could find themselves at the regional in Reese next week.
Division 4 @ USA
Friday, May 29th
Semifinals — 1 p.m. – Akron-Fairgrove vs. Owen-Gage
2:30 p.m. – USA vs. Caseville
Finals — 4 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Mayville
Overview: USA is the clear-cut favorite in this district. The Patriots have outscored their opponents 241-60 and have played a very tough non-conference schedule, while rolling through conference play with a 10-0 record. The semifinal matchup between Akron-Fairgrove and Owen-Gage should be a fun rivalry game matchup, with the winner getting the chance to pull off the upset of the Patriots.
Division 2 @ Caro
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Saginaw vs Essesville Garber
12:30 p.m. – Caro vs. Bridgeport
Finals — 3 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Birch Run
Overview: Caro will get to start off district play against a familar foe in Bridgeport. The Tigers swept Bridgeport earlier this season 11-1, and 16-1. Chloe Weissenborn had eight strikeouts in the first game against Bridgeport, and has been Caro’s ace all season. Offensively the Tigers are led by Mikaylee Root, a Delta College softball signee, and Melissa Cockerill, and will have home-field advantage through districts.
Division 2 @ Frankenmuth
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — 4 p.m. – Birch Run vs. Frankenmuth
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Mt. Morris vs. Clio
12 noon – Frankenmuth/Birch Run winner/ vs. Flint Northwestern
Finals — 2 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Birch Run
Overview: Frankenmuth is the heavy favorite to win this district on their home field. The Eagles finished the season with a 30-3-1 record, and won the Tri-Valley East Conference, just edging out North Branch with a 13-0-1 conference record. The Frankenmuth pitching staff has two aces in Amariah Wright and Kayla Brooks. Wright finshed the regular season with 18 wins, while Brooks finished with 12. Wright is also a big hitter for the Eagles, as she finished the year with six home runs.