Fleming and Hanson to play in high school all-star game
Some of the best softball players from Division IV will converge on the campus of Michigan State University in Lansing Saturday for the annual senior all-star game. Two players from Rogers City, Ashley Fleming and Megan Hanson were invited to play in the game this weekend, which starts at 2:30 p.m. The Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association named Fleming to the Division IV all-state first team while Hanson made the honorable mention list. Sophomore Laura Konieczny also was a first team all-state selection. Fleming, who recently completed an outstanding high school career in all three major girls sports at RCHS, is expected to pitch in the contest.
She went 16-3 this past season with 175 strikeouts in 112 innings. Opponents managed just 42 hits off her as she posted an ERA of 0.68. At the plate, Fleming led the team with a .435 batting average with six home runs, 43 RBI and 26 runs.
FLEMING, WHO will enroll at Ferris State University in the fall and play basketball, doesn?t have any high expectations for the game. She just wants to go out and ?have fun.? Both all-stars are overcoming injuries. Fleming hurt herself when she banged her knee in a jet ski accident. ?I split my knee open, but I?m always injured,? she said. The knee has improved greatly over the last couple of weeks and Fleming intends to pitch as many innings as the coaches will allow. Pitchers in the all-star game usually throw at least two innings.
Fleming already has started lifting weights and going through agility drills in preparation for the basketball season with FSU. She also has accepted an invitation to play in the high school all-star basketball game during Nautical festival weekend, August 6. If given the chance, Fleming said she would play basketball and softball at Ferris. ?Playing any sport would be fun,? she said. But basketball and softball are her first
HANSON EARNED honorable mention on the D-IV all-state team by hitting .404 with 29 runs scored. An outstanding defensive player in the outfield, she went all season without making an error. ?I?m kind of nervous but I?m excited,? Hanson said. ?It?ll be fun.? She is recovering from an injury to her finger, and during practices in Rogers City this week, Hanson hasn?t felt any discomfort from the injury, ?so I?m good to go.? Hanson, who would like to play for the Alpena Community College Lumberjack team next season, looks forward to getting back on the diamond and will be focused on playing errorless ball.
?I want to make the plays,? she said, ?(and) get at least one hit.? Hanson and Fleming shared the most valuable player award and have received praises from their high school coach Karl Grambau, who called both athletes tremendous role models on and off the field.