Softball: Varsity Chemics and Chargers split thrilling double-header

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When it comes down to deciding which varsity softball team is better, Midland or Midland Dow, a fly could starve on the difference.

The host Chemics took advantage of a dominant pitching performance by Jami Shafley and a sacrifice bunt late in the game to score Katie Showalter and pick up a 2-1 win in the opener, before visiting Dow turned to its ace, Courtney King, to pull out a 4-2 win in the nightcap Monday at Midland High.

“Overall, my girls are playing above expectation,” said Midland coach Christina Griffis. “They are way above anything I ever expected, honestly. Districts are right around the corner and we are playing great ball, bottom line.”

That bottom line saw the Chemics come up in the bottom of the second determined to get on the scoreboard.

Emily Bentley walked, and when pinch-runner Alisson Jahr moved over to second on a single, Midland had a runner in scoring position. In the next at-bat the Chemics tried to bunt Jahr over to third, but when the fielding throw caromed off her helmet and into left field she saw no point in stopping and continued all the way home to give Midland the early 1-0 lead.

With that early lead, Shafley settled in and denied the Chargers.

“Jami has a lot of poise on the mound,” Griffis said. “She’s very smart. She’s really good at knowing where to place it, when to place it, and what to throw.”

Since they couldn’t get anything easy, Dow had to try and get runs the hard way.

In the top of the fourth, King singled and moved into scoring position on a pass ball to give the Chargers a man on second with Lindsey Allen coming to the plate. Allen launched a rocket shot to deep-centerfield bouncing off the fence to centerfielder Emily Hoffman and the relay throw was in time to nail Allen at third. However, the run scored to tie the ballgame at one and set the stage for Showalter’s late game heroics.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Showalter came to the plate and drilled a fly ball to deep right field that hit the fence, and raced around the bases to beat out the relay throw for a triple.

In the next at-bat, Showalter was able to squeeze by the Dow catcher after Genavieve Kohoyda’s sacrifice bunt for what would prove to be the game winning run.

Shafley (14-4) went the distance for Midland, allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven for the win.

Meanwhile, Lauryn Wilson (9-5) took the tough-luck loss for the Chargers, allowing two runs on three hits in six innings with six strikeouts.

“Jami pitched well for Midland High, and they just had a perfect play that you couldn’t run any better,” said Dow coach Jason Gehoski. “I wish it was my play… They’re a tough team, and they’re a good ballclub… I told the girls that could have went our way, but it didn’t. We played well, so let’s go back out and stay on top and that’s what they did.”

The Chargers didn’t wait long to get on top in the nightcap, as Delainey Doughty drilled a two-run single in the top of the first to give Dow the early 2-0 lead.

“I think that was big,” Gehoski said. “They had the momentum. With us coming out strong in the top of the first in the second game, I think it set them back a little bit.”

It may have set them back for a little while, but not for long.

In the bottom of the second, Elise Wright was able to score from second after a Hoffman single to get the Chemics on the board 2-1.

In the top of the third, the Chargers responded when Karlee Dipzinski was bunted over to second and scored on a Doughty single to make it 3-1 Dow.

Midland didn’t lie down though.

In the bottom of the third, Showalter’s ground ball was bobbled allowing her to reach base safely. Kohoyda moved her into scoring position with a successful bunt and now the Chemics had power-hitting Bentley coming to the plate. When Bentley laid down an unexpected bunt, the Chargers failed to field it, allowing Showalter to score and making the score 3-2.

“I think that they have that tenacity to not give up,” Griffis said. “And if anything, that’s exactly what I wanted to try and teach them. Two outs, two strikes, and you’re still battling. You’re still fighting, because the game isn’t over yet.”

But one run was as close as Midland would get as King would shut out the Chemics the rest of the way.

Dow added an insurance run in the top of the sixth to hold on for the win.

King (11-2) pitched a complete game for the Chargers, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out 13.

Amber Gerstacker (7-5) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings of work, while striking out three.

Midland’s record moved to 21-9. The Chemics return to action Friday when they travel take on Hemlock. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Dow’s record stands at 22-7. The Chargers return to action Wednesday when they host Traverse City Central. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Photos by Cory Butzin