Napoleon Scores Early, Often To Eliminate Braves

EAST LANSING---The Napoleon Pirates scored eight runs in the first inning Friday and cruised to a 16-0 win over the Gladstone Braves in the MHSAA Division Three softball state semifinal game at Michigan State University.

The loss ended a successful seasoin for Gladstone with a 34-10 record.

"Yeah, we lost, but we gave it all we had," Gladstone senior Tasi Martinez said. "They're a good team. If we were going to lose to a team, that's the team (I don't mind) losing to."

"They were pretty good," Gladstone junior Kaitlyn Hardwick agreed. "They had a bunch of good bats on their team. I feel like that we did our best, and we got here. We all love each other, and we've all got each others' backs."

The Pirates banged out 17 base hits, including three by leadoff batter Paige Kortz. Napoleon's third hitter in the batting order, Rachel Griffin, drove in three runs with a double and a single, and was robbed of extra bases on a diving catch by Hardwick in right field (bottom photo).

Napoleon's #6 hitter, Ashton Jordan, had two doubles and a single, and she drove in four runs. Kallie Pittman, in the #7 spot, had four singles...three of them on the infield.

It was a deadly mix of team speed and batting prowess that led the Pirates.

"They can hit, and they hit the ball hard," Gladstone Coach John Nevala said. "My hat's off to them. It's a classy team. They weren't arrogant. I wish them the best tomorrow."

The Pirates had eight runs on the board against Gladstone pitcher Jenna Steinhoff before they even came to bat for the first time.

The Braves' best chance to score came in the bottom of the second inning when Hardwick smoked a double and Taylor Hunter followed with a walk. Despite the final score, Hardwick pumped her fists in the air after the double.

"I was just trying to get it going for our team, trying to stir us up," Hardwick said. "You know, it just felt great off of the bat!"

The next three girls, however, went out, stranding both Hardwick and Taylor.

Gladstone also had a chance to score in the third inning when Alyssa Polley and Sydney Herioux both got singles. But two pop flies ended the inning.

With the game out of reach, Nevala removed his three senior starters, one by one, to rounds of applause. Senior Cassidy Hanson then got a chance to bat, as well.

"They had no idea I was going to do that," Nevala said. "The only one who knew was the umpire, that after the first pitch (of the fifth inning) I was going to sub for my seniors."

"They're an excellent group of girls. I'm just glad I got to coach them one year."

Martinez appreciated having that.

"We knew we weren't going to win, and it was that moment where it hits you that it's done," Martinez said. "We all walked off that field together. We walked onto it together, all those years ago. It was an emotional moment."

Sydney Coe pitched all five innings for Napoleon, as the game was called on the mercy rule. Napoleon (36-4) will face defending Division Three state champion Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in the championship game Saturday afternoon at 5:30.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos taken by Scott Balenger, videos taken by Mike Dagenais, and listen to interviews with Gladstone players and coaches.