Brandon’s softball team helped Coach Don Peters achieve a milestone while continuing their winning ways.
The Blackhawks swept a doubleheader from visiting Fenton May 12, winning the opener 8-2 and the nightcap 3-2. The first-game win gave Peters, who is in his 16th year as the Brandon coach, his 500th career win. The Blackhawks are now 23-3 overall and 9-1 in Flint Metro action.
‘That puts me with some pretty elite company,? Peters said. ‘I’m thankful I’ve been around enough talented players to get to that point.?
Brandon scored two runs in the first inning of the opener, and added two more in the second to take control of the game. Jill Perry picked up the win for Brandon. Brooke Seffens went three-for-four with two runs scored and an RBI, while Claire Cianek went two-for-three with two runs scored and two RBI.
Perry again picked up the win for Brandon in the nightcap, this time in relief. Michelle Hojnacki went three-for-three with two runs scored to spark the Brandon offense.
The team had to wait more than a month to host their own invitational, but it was well worth the wait.
The host Blackhawks won the finals of the invite, originally scheduled for April 5, by shutting out Detroit Cass Tech 10-0.
Junior Nicole Flood hurled the shutout for Brandon in the deciding game, while senior Berryl Pappas had two hits and two RBI. The Blackhawks scored five runs in the second inning and four in the third to take command of the situation.
Other offensive contributors for the Blackhawks were Katie Flood (two hits, two RBI), Courtney Wright (two hits, three runs scored) and Seffens (two RBI).
In the preceding game, Perry struck out 12 and allowed only one hit as Brandon shut out Imlay City 6-0, scoring two runs each in the first, third and seventh innings. Hojnacki pounded out four hits to lead the Brandon offense.
In their first game of the day, the Blackhawks defeated Davison 6-1. Sophomore Jackie Wojtkowicz picked up the win for Brandon, while Hojnacki added two hits. Brandon scored three runs in the first inning, and that would prove to be all the offense they needed.
The team prepared for the invite with a split of a twin bill against Lapeer West, losing the opener 4-0 before winning the nightcap 2-0. In the second game, Perry went the distance, striking out seven and allowing only four hits. Cianek pounded out three hits, while Seffens drove in two runs.
The team maintained their winning ways against visiting Holly in a doubleheader May 6.
In a twin bill originally scheduled for the previous day, Brandon defeated the Bronchos 7-0 in the first game and 6-2 in the second game to improve their record to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in the Flint Metro League.
Wojtkowicz notched the shutout win for Brandon in the opener, allowing only three hits while striking out nine. Seffens went four-for-four with an RBI and two stolen bases.
In the nightcap, Perry earned the win on the mound for Brandon. Pappas led the offensive charge with two hits, an RBI and two stolen bases, while sophomore Meridith Dura added two hits and two runs scored.
With the home stretch of the season approach, Peters said it is important the Blackhawks continue the improvement they have demonstrated all season.