Softball: Chargers win SVL championship with sweep of Chemics

by Quinn Kane

The Dow High varsity softball team swept cross-town rival Midland Monday, beating the Chemics 7-2 in game one and 3-1 in game two to clinch a Saginaw Valley League championship.

In game one, Taylor Mantyla got Dow started with a leadoff double and later came around to score to give the Chargers the early lead. Dow would add two more in the inning to bring the score to 3-0.

In the top of the second, it was the Chemics’ turn to flash some offense. Breanne Walkowiak stole second, allowing the runner from third to score. Walkowiak would later score herself to cut the Chargers’ lead to one.

Dow would add another run in the bottom of the second, before both teams’ pitching and defense would pick up.

In the fourth, Chemics’ second baseman Melissa Rathbun made a great catch on a line drive and threw back to second for an inning-ending double play. Not to be outdone, Dow shortstop, Shannon Hellebuyck would later race into the outfield to catch a popup.

But the Chargers would add two insurance runs in the sixth on a pair of errant throws to first, and the Chemics were unable to answer as Dow held on to clinch a Saginaw Valley League championship.

“[Our team’s strength] wasn’t offense, and it wasn’t defense,” said Dow coach Dick Blasy. “The strength was that we played well all around.”

Game two started well for Midland as the Chemics got out to an early 1-0 lead. Things would stay that way over the next four innings until Courtney King drove in Allison Hamilton to tie the game. A hit off the bat of Brooke Kequom would give the Chargers the lead, and they would add an insurance run later to hold on for a 3-1 win.

After the game, Blasy was pleased with the way his team played.

“We played very well, and relaxed,” he said.

Midland coach Jason Gehoski agreed with Blasy, saying the Chargers deserved to win.

“I give Dow credit,” he said. “They are a good team and stayed in both games to pull out victories. They earned the SVL title today.”

Dow (28-4) will be back in action May 29 when the Chargers host Bullock Creek at 4 p.m. The Chemics will return to the field May 30 when they host Hemlock, also at 4 p.m.