Final Four bound — Panthers topple Tigers in quarterfinals

SAULT STE. MARIE — Breaking new ground with every game, the Pickford Panthers continued their dream softball season Tuesday.

The Panthers punched their ticket to the Final Four with a 5-4 quarterfinal victory over the Hillman Tigers in a Division 4 quarterfinal at Locey Field.

Pickford (25-14-2) advances to play two-time defending state champion Unionville-Sebewaing (30-8) in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Michigan State University’s Seccia Stadium.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Pickford coach Matt Hudecek said of the clash with the Tigers. “We watched Hillman last season when they played Rudyard in the quarterfinals and knew they have some good players returning, and that they had an ace pitcher (Nicole Barbeau).

“We scored some early runs and that was big. Usually the better pitchers tend to get into a groove and are even tougher to score on later in the game. We felt like getting five runs was a pretty good number against her. We also limited their big innings, which was key. When they did score, we got out of the innings without major damage.”

The Tigers put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Saige Flaugher scored on a sacrifice fly to short, and Nicole Barbeau scored on a passed ball.

Pickford rallied right back with four runs in the top of the second to take a 4-2 lead. Morgan Fox, Finley Hudecek and Madison Thurmes singled to load the bases, and two runs scored on an infield error. Lizzie Storey was hit by a pitch with the bases load, which scored Thurmes, and Kennedy Guild also had an RBI single, scoring Ahna Prucha.

The Tigers tied it with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, getting RBI singles from Flaugher and Barbeau.

With the game tied 4-4, Pickford scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the sixth inning. Laura Bush delivered an RBI single to leftfield that scored Chloe May from second base.

The Panthers stopped a potential Tiger rally in the bottom of the sixth, with catcher Lucy Bennin throwing to second baseman Kennedy Guild, who tagged out Flaugher at second on a steal attempt for a big second out of the inning. Finley Hudecek struck out the final hitter to silence the threat.

“I saw her take off out of the corner of my eye,” Bennin said. “I threw it down there and I have to thank Kennedy for being in the right position to make an outstanding tag. I jumped so high after that one, it felt like the winning out.”

Following a scoreless top of the seventh, Pickford still had to hold off the Tigers one more time in their final at-bat. Julia Taratuta reached on an infield error to lead off the inning, but the Panthers got the next two batters out on a fielder’s choice ground ball, and another strikeout registered by Hudecek. The final out came on a line drive hit by Hanna Crane right at May at shortstop, which she caught to end the game.

“I was nervous the whole game but it was a lot of fun,” May said. “I was really hoping the ball would come to me for the last out. It was hit right at me and I just had to jump and catch it. I wasn’t sure if I had it or not at first, but I felt it hit my glove.”

Finley Hudecek was 2-for-4, while May, Bush, Guild, Fox and Thurmes had one hit each.

Hudecek pitched seven innings for the win, allowing four runs on seven hits, while striking out six and walking four.

Barbeau pitched seven innings for the Tigers, giving up five runs on seven hits, while striking out 10 and walking three.

Saige Flaugher was 4-for-4 to lead the Tigers’ offense, while Barbeau was 2-for-3 and Taratuta had one hit.

Pickford, which co-ops with Maplewood Baptist Academy, will be playing in the softball Final Four for the first time in school history. The Panthers had already notched a couple other ‘firsts’ for the softball program this season by winning districts and regionals.

“It feels quite amazing,” Bennin said. “This is the first time in history Pickford (softball) has been this far. I’m so happy we’ve been able to get this far, on a team with all the players I grew up with playing sports.”

Pickford seniors and juniors also made it to the quarterfinals in basketball and won districts in volleyball.

“These girls all play multiple sports and have had a lot of success through their careers,” coach Hudecek said. “I was blessed as a coach to start with a group like this. Their goal at the beginning of the year was to win districts, which no Pickford team had done. Now we are playing ‘bonus’ softball with each game. We didn’t think about getting this far but we’re one of four teams left standing.”

Prior to the USA vs. Pickford game on Friday is the other Division 4 semifinal between Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart and Ottawa Lake Whiteford at 3 p.m. at MSU. The state championship game is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at MSU.

The Panthers will face a powerhouse program USA, the state’s No. 1-ranked team in Division 4. The Patriots have been in the Final Four 15 times in the last 16 seasons and won seven state titles.

“We’ll have our hands full against USA,” coach Hudecek said. “They are an excellent program that seems to always be among the state’s best. We’ll see what we can do.”

Contact Sports Editor Rob Roos at rroos@sooeveningnews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @rroosTEN.

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Final Four bound — Panthers topple Tigers in quarterfinals