Milan and Braymer had a sense of unfamiliarity with one another on Thursday night, as the new Grand River Conference programs sized up one another in preparation for the “crossover” game matching the third place finisher in the eastern division with the third place team in the west.
Braymer jumped out Milan early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 3-0 lead. However, the Lady ‘Cats offense surged to the lead quickly, knotting the contest with a 3 spot in the 2nd, taking a 4-3 lead with a third inning run, and then, in the decisive moments of the game, adding eight runs in the top of the 4th inning. With a solid lead behind her, Milan senior left-hander Kenna Michael gave up just three runs the rest of the night, in a 13-6 Milan triumph.
Catcher Breanna Sawyer smashed a home run for Milan, part of a 3 for 5, two RBI night. Michael helped her pitching cause with a 2 for 4 effort at the plate, adding two RBI’s with two runs scored. Shelby May connected for three hits, including a double, with 3 RBI’s and three runs scored, while Katie Banner went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI’s. For Braymer, Maggie Phillips and Taylor Francis both had two hits in the game. Starting pitcher Kelsey Stone took the loss, with Braymer’s defense not helping the cause, committing eight errors.
Of the six runs allowed to Braymer by Michael, only three were earned. Kenna allowed only three hits in the winning performance.
Braymer had earned the #3 spot in the GRC west by finishing second in a three-way tie (Albany and Worth County) at 4-2. Milan’s 4-3 GRC East record matched the 4-3 mark of Stanberry, but a head-to-head win over the Lady Wolverines pushed the Lady ‘Cats to the #3 spot.
Before the game at Braymer, KTTN Sports Director Tom Johnson spoke with Lady ‘Cats Head Coach Nate Dodson about Milan Wildcat softball, on the weekly coaches show:
Click to listen to the “Nate Dodson Show” (Milan Lady ‘Cats softball):
