Hesperia softball team rallies from nine-run deficit to beat Shelby 22-20 in Oceana County Tournament

Local Sports Journal

The Hesperia softball team rallied from an early nine-run deficit and outlasted Shelby 22-20 Saturday in the finals of the Oceana County Tournament.

Shelby led 13-4 after three innings before Hesperia exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning, nine in the fifth and two in the sixth to gain the win.

The two teams combined for 39 hits and 13 errors. The Panthers won despite committing eight of those errors.

Paige Lavin paced the Panthers with five hits and four RBIs. Holly Whelan contributed two hits and four RBIs while Katey Annis and Jorie Morton each had three hits.

Pitcher Meradith Schmitz got the win for Hesperia.

The Panthers earned a spot in the title game by beating Hart 14-10.

Abi Hemminger had three hits and two RBIs for the Panthers. Sam Burdick struck out eight and got the win on the mound.