By Grace Davis
Sports Writer
Clare Softball made the trip to Gladstone this past weekend to compete in a round-robin tournament. The first game did not go as well as hoped, falling to Grass Lake 16-3. However, the girls showed their game faces on Saturday to beat Charlevoix 16-0, and carried that energy into the last game of the weekend.
Madison Jones threw a shutout to lead the Clare Pioneers past the Gladstone Braves 2-0.
Jones struck out five and allowed three hits over seven innings.
Morgan Campbell led Clare with one hit in three at-bats. Tessa Kelly had the most chances in the field with eight, and the Pioneers didn’t commit a single error in the field.
Monday night, the girls were back on the road in Gladwin, losing their first game, 2-1, in extra innings.
The game was tied at one with Gladwin Varsity Flying G’s batting in the bottom of the eighth when an error scored one run, ending the game.
Madison Jones took the loss for Clare, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out nine.
Addison McMillan and Macie Hensley had one hit each to lead Clare. McKayla Methner grounded out in the top of the seventh inning, scoring one run to tie the game, but it just wasn’t enough in the end.
If we know anything about the Clare softball team, though, it’s that they’re not going to give up. Clare won the second game in a dramatic walk-off fashion, thanks to a walk-off error in extra innings to topple the Flying G’s. The game was tied at four with Clare batting in the bottom of the eighth when Grace Davis forced an error on Gladwin’s end, scoring one run for the Pioneers, leading to a 5-4 win.
Clare started strong, taking an early lead in the first inning when Morgan Campbell singled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs. However, Gladwin Varsity Flying G’s fought back, scoring three runs in the third inning to take the lead. The game remained tied at three until the top of the eighth inning when Gladwin Varsity Flying G’s scored a run to take a 4-3 lead.
But Clare didn’t give up, and in the bottom of the eighth inning, they managed to tie the game with a run scored by an error. The dramatic walk-off win was made possible by the pitching of Madison Jones, who allowed seven hits and three runs over eight innings while striking out five and walking one.
Clare totaled nine hits in the game, with Campbell and Addison McMillan leading the way with multiple hits. Campbell went 3-for-4 at the plate, making her the standout player of the game. The Pioneers were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error, with Savannah Buzzelli making the most plays with seven.
The Pioneers will play their last home game on Tuesday, May 30th at 5:00p.m.