The bad news for the Goodrich softball team is their season has come to an end.
The good news is most of the team will be back next year to try and improve upon a successful 2004 campaign.
The Martians were eliminated from the Division 3 playoffs June 15, as Unionville-Sebewaing defeated Goodrich 3-1 in the state quarterfinals. Goodrich’s season ended with a record of 31-13.
Goodrich started out on a good note, as freshman Kelsey Krych tripled to lead off the first inning, and scored on a groundout by junior Julie Owen.
However, the Patriots shut the Martians down after that. They tied the game in the second and took the lead for good in the third.
After the game, Goodrich coach Rick Bescoe said the Martians were understandably deflated by the loss.
‘They were very disappointed and upset, and I think that comes from working hard and putting a lot of time in,? he said. ‘They had a lot to be proud of. I think they overcame a lot of obstacles and came a long way. They’ll just be better for it.?
The team’s future appears bright, with only two seniors ? Lauren Heidenberger and Kristian Childress ? graduating from this year’s team.
However, Bescoe said the Martians can’t afford to rest on their laurels if they expect to go further next year.
‘We have to work harder than we did this year,? he said.
Three days earlier, a no-hitter by the opposing team still couldn’t stop Goodrich from claiming a Division 3 regional championship, their first since 1995, when the Martians advanced to the state title game before losing to Lake Fenton.
The Martians? Julie Owen scored the lone run of the game in the fourth inning as Goodrich defeated Freeland 1-0 on June 12, despite a no-hitter by Falcons junior Stacy Delaney. The win marked Goodrich’s first regional championship in nine years.
Owen reached base when she was hit by a pitch in the fourth. She stole second and raced home when the Freeland catcher’s throw sailed over the second baseman’s head and into center field.
Goodrich pitcher Jessica Morgan made that run hold up, allowing only four hits against Freeland.
In the regional semifinals, the Martians defeated Birch Run 4-3, as Ellen Nothhelfer scored with two outs in the bottom of the seventh on a Birch Run error, breaking a 3-3 deadlock.
The Martians scored two runs in the second inning and one in the fifth inning.
Morgan allowed two earned runs on six hits in the Goodrich win.