Mt. Pleasant Tops Garber 3-2 to Claim Weekend Softball Tourney

May 17, 2009
By: John Keuvelaar

This is the time of year that high school teams are looking for tournaments to help them get ready for the high school playoffs. Garber is no exception as they hosted their annual Final Tune Up Tournament in preparation for their playoff run. While they played well, it was Mt. Pleasant who beat Garber 3-2 to win the event.

Garber opened against Laker High with a 4-0 win. Rachael Bowker opened the game with a leadoff triple to left field. Carly Weiler drove her home with a sacrifice fly to left make it 1-0. This was all the runs the Lady Dukes would need as Kara Brewer combined with Katie Neering to throw a one hitter. But just to be sure, Garber added three insurance runs in the fifth inning. Stephanie Shaffer and Rachael Bowker singled setting the stage for Carly Weiler. The senior outfielder hit her first varsity home run giving Garber a 4-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Mt. Pleasant beat Meridian to set up what turned out to be the championship game between Garber and Mt. Pleasant in the second round of games. And in fitting fashion, what a game it was.

The game started as a pitchers duel between Garber's Katie Neering and Mt. Pleasant's Coldwell. In the fourth inning, things got exciting. Garber looked to take control of the game when Carly Weiler drew a walk. Then Caitlyn Keuvelaar hit a screamer down the left field line for a double driving in Weiler. Nicole Wood then followed with a double putting Garber on top 2-0.

The Oilers wasted little time in striking back. Brittney Hokan stroked a home run to get them going. Then Gaudard worked a walk, was sacrificed to second and scored on a Block single tying the game at two.

Mt. Pleasant then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Welsh lead the inning off with a single to left. Then after getting two outs, McGuire doubled the lead run home putting the Oilers up 3-2.

In the seventh inning, Caitlyn Keuvelaar led off with a single. Courtesy runner LaShae Radeka moved to second on a passed ball. But Radeka was gunned down at third when she tried to advance on a ball that got away from the catcher but hit the umpire's leg keeping it from traveling to the screen. The Dukes couldn't generate any more offense and the Oilers came away with the victory.

Meanwhile, Meridian beat Laker thereby clinching the title for Mt. Pleasant and setting up a second place match between Garber and Meridian.

Garber lost the coin flip for the third straight time making them the visitors again. In the top of the second inning, Caitlyn Keuvelaar led off with a single. Nicole Wood then sacrificed her to second. Keuvelaar took third when Meridian catcher Kasandra Graham tried to pick her off second. But Keuvelaar broke to third on the throw to second making it easily. Kara Brewer then drove her home on a ground out to second base.

Meridian quickly responded thanks to help from Garber. Taylor Smith led off their half of the inning with a single and took second on an error. Then two wild pitches brought her home tying the score at 1.

Garber scored five times in the third. Rachael Bowker got things going with a walk. Then Weiler and Keuvelaar drew walks to load the bases. Bowker scored on a wild pitch before Nicole Wood singled in two more runs. Back to back fielding errors help bring Wood and Katie Neering home giving Garber a 6-1 lead.

Meridian responded in similar fashion. Clarise Coleman drew a walk. Then Kristin Goodall was hit by a pitch before Savannah Finney singled home a run. Shelby Anderson singled home a second run and a wild pitch brought home a third making it 6-4.

Meridian would add one more run in the final inning as Anderson singled, took second on a passed ball then scored on a Jordan Bowland single making Garber 6-5 winners. As true champions, Mt. Pleasant made it 3-0 on the day with a 3-0 win over Laker.

Garber resumes action Monday at Millington then travels to Pinconning on Tuesday to take on the Spartans.