SPORTS COLUMN: Peter Jakey
It?s time for another trip down the tournament trail. For the Huron softball team, if all goes as planned, they won?t have to leave the county for the first two weeks of the post-season. The district tournament is in Onaway at the Little League fields on the northwest side of town, but, for the first time ever, regionals are in Rogers City, and the girls have set their sights on playing on the home field a week from Saturday.
First-year coach Karl Grambau said athletic director Pat Lamb did his job by securing the regional games; now it?s up his players to get there. The pressure will be on both the baseball and softball team.
GRAMBAU PICKED a good year to take over the Huron softball program. Coming into the 2003 season, he had experienced seniors returning, a great group of volunteer coaches, terrific underclassmen who have made nice contributions, and the Mikan bat.
What, you haven?t heard of the Mikan bat? There have been five home runs hit over fences in the last six weeks: two each from Theresa Bellmore and Ashley Fleming and Renee Romel with one. I knew Renee could get one over, and hopefully more are in store, but all the dingers came off the Mikan. The bat was a gift of RC JV assistant coach Chuck Krueger, who found the bats on-line at $220 apiece. He donated one to the varsity and another to the JV.
For northern Michigan springs, a durable bat is needed, so the girls use the Mikan exclusively in batting practice, while some continue to use it during games, with sweet results. Maybe Mikan should have her own seat for the tournament trip over to Onaway Saturday.
GRAMBAU SAYS the key to winning will be team defense and timely hitting. The Hurons are extremely strong up the middle on defense, and that?s where most of the experienced seniors play.
Shortstop Renee Romel and second baseman Megan Grulke anchor the middle of the infield and are two players from the 2001 Division III state runner-up team. Angie Asam is a second-year varsity catcher, while Alison Schuiteman and Rachel Brege are senior pitchers.
Add to that Bellmore at first base and you?ve got yourself a nice, air-tight infield. It?s probably a good reason the girls were ranked in the top 10 this season, a couple of times. This week they are honorable mentions. Grambau says the seniors have provided leadership, talent, and teaching skills to the 2003 squad, and he wouldn?t be surprised if some of them end up in the classroom or in a dugout of their own someday.
THE VOLUNTEER COACHES, who receive little or no recognition, are Mike Grulke, Jim Connell, Cindy Bellmore, and Chelsea LaLonde. Grulke is the defensive coordinator, Connell helps with the hitters, and Bellmore works with the pitchers. LaLonde, a Huron softball player a year ago, has returned from college to offer her assistance. The Hurons look to pull it all together for a possible three-week trip down the tournament trail. It should be a lot of fun watching their progress. The only question I have ? is Karl going to broadcast the games from the dugout?
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I?LL BE LISTENING in Hillman as I?ll be on the Posen sportsbeat. The Viking softball and baseball teams both have been paired with Gaylord St. Mary. I believe the girls will win a district crown if they get past that first game against the Snowbirds. They?ll have to play their best to defeat highly-ranked GSM. If the Vike bats continue to put up big runs this weekend and not kick the ball around, there should be positive results. I think the pitching will be there, but it?ll be up to the defense. Get the outs, get the wins ? change the banner next week in Mancelona.
The boys, who finished second in the North Star League, believe it or not, are underdogs. ?I told the boys in practice (Tuesday), we have absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain,? said coach Pat Kowalski.
GAYLORD ST. MARY and Hillman are both ranked by the coaches in Division IV. This will be the last tournament trip for seniors Josh Konieczny and J Richards. Konieczny is a veteran Viking ballplayer of four seasons, playing on the state runner-up team of 2000, while Richards has paid his dues and has been taking advantage of his chances to contribute. Konieczny, as a freshman, made one of the best defensive plays at Battle Creek in 2000 with a diving catch in leftfield. Personally, I can remember the ca
BUT NOW, his all-state career is coming to a close, and he, along with a great group of underclassmen, hope to play beyond this weekend. Konieczny will have a chance to extend his playing days at Lansing Community College. The Lansing coach was in Johannesburg last Friday and wants Josh to play in the state capital next season. ?I told him the pressure is off, and you?ve got a home so just go out there and have some fun,? said Kowalski. ?Josh is a tremendous competitor and a great baseball player,? said Kowalski. ?(He) is an two-time all-stater and is playing all-state ball again.?
Kowalski said Richards has come through with a fine senior year as well. ?He?s finally come into his own, and he is making the most of the year,? the coach said. Now Josh and J will try to make the most of the their final trip down the tournament trail. Continued next week…