This past week was one of significant achievements for the Brandon softball program.
In the first game of an April 18 doubleheader against Linden, pitcher Jill Perry threw a perfect game, striking out 11 batters as the Blackhawks won 13-0. Brandon took the nightcap as well, winning 6-0
The Blackhawks are 10-2 on the season and 4-0 in the Flint Metro League, good for a first-place tie with Lapeer West.
Meanwhile, at the Montrose Invitational April 16, Brandon coach Carl Gabrielson earned his 300th career win as the Blackhawks won all three of their games that day.
Perry received plenty of offensive support during her perfect game, as Katie Flood went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Ashley Brady went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
In the nightcap, Jackie Wojtkowicz struck out nine for Brandon and also went 2-for-4 with an RBI at the plate. Annemarie Solley went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Lauren Ross and Jennifer Sherman each went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
‘Both of our pitchers (Perry and Wojtkowicz) are striking out batters and walking less than one batter per game,? Gabrielson said. ‘They’re controlling the game.?
The Blackhawks clinched the championship at the Montrose Invitational with a 10-1 win against Swartz Creek in the title game, and got Gabrielson his 300th win in the process.
After the game, the team signed a baseball for Gabrielson, and the marquee outside Brandon High School congratulated him on his 300th win.
Before coming to Brandon, Gabrielson coached at Flint Powers Catholic (1999-2003), Clio (1996-98), and Linden (1989-95).
‘Every coach sets a goal for themselves, and one of them for me was to reach 300 wins,? Gabrielson said. ‘I think everyone in coaching sets a level they want to achieve. I’m pleased I’ve had some good teams to help me get there. They’re the ones that got the wins.?
Perry notched the win for the Blackhawks, allowing only two hits, while Chelsea Wengren starred at the plate by going 3-for-4 with four runs scored. Ross helped the Brandon cause by going 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
In Brandon’s tourney opener, Perry again pitched a two-hitter as the Blackhawks defeated Davison 2-1.
Perry struck out eight Cardinals in winning the contest, while Wengren and Meridith Dura each scored a run.Wojtkowicz took her turn on the mound against Montrose and struck out 10 Rams while allowing only four hits as the Blackhawks won 11-1.
Wojtkowicz also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Ross went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI, and Flood went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Against host Seaholm April 15, the Blackhawks won the opener 4-2 and the nightcap 2-0.
Dura went 2-for-4 and scored two runs in the opener, while Ross went 2-for-3. Perry allowed only two hits and struck out 10 Seaholm batters to pick up the win.
In the nightcap, Dura went 1-for-3 as she and Wengren scored the two Brandon runs. Wojtkowicz struck out 14 Seaholm batters while pitching a one-hitter to win the game for Brandon.