Brilliant Posen softball season ends at quarterfinals

The longest run in the history of the Viking (27-11) softball program came to an end in Elk Rapids last Wednesday at the hands of perennial softball power Mason County Eastern (23-9), 3-1. It wasn?t experience that gave MCE an advantage this season, visitors of Battle Creek four of the last five years in Division IV, it was that Posen couldn?t get much going offensively against junior hurler Sara Marek. Marek struck out eight, and with solid defense behind her, set down the final 12 batters she faced. After the game, a tearful Viking squad, after shaking hands with their opponent, walked out to leftfield to hear their last post-game talk from coach Glenn Budnick.

?I told the girls it?s not a matter of them being a better team than us, it was a matter of them playing a little better than we did today,? Budnick said. ?They put the bat on the ball and we were not able to do that on a consistent basis like they were.?

THE VIKINGS were one victory away from advancing to Battle Creek, but Budnick tried to remind his players of the great accomplishments of the last two months. Posen won back-to-back conference and district titles, and was the first team ever to reach a quarterfinal game with the school?s first softball regional title. ?I told them this loss is going to hurt but remember all the good things,? he said.

MCE lost to Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 1-0, in the state semifinal game. Waterford went on to win the state title. The Vikings lose three seniors, but only one who started all season. There?s a good group coming back, but the excitement of next year may be tempered with Rogers City moving to Division IV in baseball and softball next season. Budnick says his club should be stronger next season with more experience and another good group of freshmen coming in. He says, ?We?ll be back, we?ll be ready.?

MCE STRUCK first in the first inning with a hit and a walk off junior pitcher Michelle Bednarski, and the first run came in on a fielder?s choice. The Viking bats were not making solid contact against Marek. Two of three outs in the first inning were pop outs, while another batter struck out. Bednarski, who hit the ball hard in the first, had two of Posen?s three hits. With the score still 1-0, Katie Lewandowski tried to get something going with a bunt in the second but was tossed out by the pitcher. Amanda Pieczynski followed her with a hit. She stole second base and was left there after a fly out and a strike out. The bottom of the third was no better as Marek set the side down on strikes.

The Vikings looked to make things interesting in the bottom of the fourth as Bednarski hit the ball over the outstretched glove of the centerfielder. She motored in for a triple, turned the corner, and in the only defensive mistake by either side, the ball skipped by the catcher and Mich

elle ran home to tie the game. Bednarski slid in under the tag and thrust both fists into the air as she laid on her back. It fired up the players and the crowd, but it didn?t translate at the plate as MCE did not allow another base runner. Marek allowed no walks in the game.

?THE PITCHER threw a great game and the kids played great defense,? said coach Bill Cole, who celebrated a state title in 2001. MCE also was state runner-up in 1998 and 2000. With two out in the top of the fifth, MCE broke the tie with the game-winning run as Brandi Salmon tripled and went home on an infield single by her twin sister Kylie.

MCE added an insurance run with another triple in the sixth. Sarah Marer looked to hit a sure homer, but it fell at the base of the fence. A bloop single by Beth Sommerfield scored Marer from third for a 3-1 lead. ?The loss is going to hurt, but there is only one team that can win their last game of the year, unfortunately it wasn?t us,? said Budnick. The graduating seniors are Julie Lewandowski, Heather Budnik, and Krystle Styma.