Lewandowski shines among stars
While former Viking softball standout Julie Lewandowski didn?t drive in any runs, which became her forte during her 2003 senior campaign, she set the table for the game-winning run in the Division IV all-star game Saturday in East Lansing. Lewandowski was one-for-two in two official trips to the plate and made one putout from her starting spot in leftfield with no errors. All in all, it was a successful experience, especially going up against some of the most talented players in the state. Lewandowski was placed on the ?white team,? with an unfamiliar group of players from downstate schools, and once again played against her foes from Arenac Eastern and Gaylord St. Mary.
ON THE DEFENSIVE side, Julie caught the only ball hit in the air her way. She recorded the second out of the game on a short flyball near the foul line. The batting order wasn?t the traditional one through nine; instead it was one through 18, with Lewandowski batting 8th. In her first at bat the pitcher threw a strike, which Julie said calmed her.
The strike made her more determined to hit, she said, and she did just that, stroking
IN HER LAST trip to the plate, with a runner on first, Lewandowski hit the ball off the end of the bat to the first baseman for an out, but advanced the runner to second. The next batter again drove in the run with a double, which proved to be the game winner. ?It was a good experience,? she said. ?It felt different, not playing for a while,? but she appreciated another opportunity to play. Her sponsorship fees were paid by Val-U-Variety, Huron Oil, Quality Repair and Posen Pub.
Lewandowski will study actuary science at Central Michigan University, and will leave her hometown of Posen in her rearview mirror August 22.