The Mayville softball team celebrates their district title after defeating Peck 9-1 in the finals held at Kingston High School Friday. The Wildcats also clinched a share of the NCTL title after they swept Kingston Monday night (photo by John Cook)
By Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
MAYVILLE — The Mayville softball program hadn’t won a league title in four years, and hadn’t won a district title in 13 years.
The Wildcats earned both of those titles in the matter of four days, defeating Peck Friday in the district finals 9-1, and sweeping Kingston Monday night 2-1, 5-3 to clinch a share of the North Central Thumb League title with Deckerville.
Mayville freshman Lauryn Frenzel winds up for a pitch during Firday’s district final in Kingston. In district wins over Kingston and Peck, Frenzel struck out 22 batters and allowed only five hits in 14 innings of work. (photo by John Cook)
“I am so proud of these girls,” said Mayville coach Mark Cooper. “I can’t say enough about how well they played. They have struggled the past couple of years, but they have improved so much.”
Mayville defeated Kingston 7-4 in the district semifinal, and were led by freshman Lauryn Frenzel as she started both games, striking out 11 batters in each game while allowing only five hits.
“She is amazing,” said Cooper. “She’s pretty special for a ninth grader, and she has been our workhorse all year.”
In Monday night’s doubleheader against Kingston Frenzel earned wins in both of the games, and struck out her 200th batter of the season, while running her season record to 16-4.
During the district tournament coach Cooper got contributions from everywhere in his lineup. In the semifinal game against Kingston Miranda Zaremba, Natalie Gorde, and Frenzel all had two hits, while Hunter Wilson and Frenzel each had two RBIs, and Rylee Shafor, Teddi Sweeney, and Allie Phillips each had a RBI. In the finals Zaremba had three hits, and Sweeney, Wilson, and Jenna Franks all had two hits.
“The lineup has kind of been an experiment to see who was going to lead off,” said Cooper. “But
Mayville coach Mark Cooper instructs one of his players during the district final in Kingston Friday. Cooper led the Wildcats to their first district title in 13 years. (photo by John Cook)
then as we got into the season you could see the lineup adjust and we got some power out of our three and four hitters (Zaremba and Wilson), and now it is a balanced lineup. Everyone of those young ladies can hit the ball.”
Mayville hosts their regional, and will play Ubly (20-9), a team that they have played already this season in the Tuscola County Tournament, barely losing 3-0.
“To be here and have a chance to win regionals at home, and play against a team that we played well against is exciting,” said Cooper. “What makes it even more exciting is that there is not a senior on this team. Win, lose, or draw on Saturday, these girls have had an amazing season.”