LocalSportsJournal.com
The Montague softball team captured its first regional championship in history Saturday with wins over Manton and Morley-Stanwood at Newaygo High School.
The Wildcats, 22-12 on the season, advance to Tuesday’s Division 3 state quarterfinals against Traverse City St. Francis.
The game, scheduled for noon, will be played at Traverse City West High School. The winner will advance to Friday’s state semifinals.
“We had never won a regional game before, so to go and win a regional championship, our girls were tough as nails today,” said Montague Coach Doug Rice. “In two games we had one error.
“The celebration afterwards was great, the crowd that followed us was so incredible. My phone has been blowing up since this win. The community really came out to support the girls and they felt every bit of it.”
Montague won 10-0 over Morley-Stanwood in six innings in the championship game.
Hannah Smith has three hits and scored three runs for the Wildcats. Madison Alvarez added three hits and three RBIs, including the bases-loaded triple that ended the game on the 10-run rule in the sixth inning.
McKenna Lohman added three hits and two RBIs while Alyssa Bobian had a two-run double for Montague.
Pitcher Kenadee Shugars got the win, striking out 11 Mohawks.
The Wildcats downed Manton 6-4 in the first round to qualify for the tournament title game. They trailed 1-0 but took the lead for good by scoring six runs in the third inning.
Smith was 4-for-4 at the plate while Lohman had three hits and two RBIs. Shugars also pitched the win in the first game, striking out nine.
