Lakeland Softball Gears Up for a Busy Offseason

Lakeland softball is not used to having its season end in early June. 

For the first time in seven years the Eagles are not headed to the state quarterfinals, having lost to Hartland 1-0 in a district semifinal game last Saturday. But despite the loss of five seniors, there were many more successes than failures for a Lakeland team that finished 30-8. 

The Eagles tied for the conference crown with Walled Lake Northern even following a sluggish start. During the season coach Joe Alsup also celebrated his 900th career varsity victory. 

The loss to a 30-win Hartland team was a difficult one for the Eagles, which had such high expectations. But as is often the case with high-level softball, it truly is a game of inches.

“It was a bloop single that found a hole and that was the difference,” Alsup said about Hartland’s only run. “We hit some balls hard but they didn’t find holes. And in a one-game situation you need to be good and have some luck. We’ve won a number of 1-0 or 2-1 games over the years." 

But there is plenty of talent returning a year from now that should help make Lakeland one of the best teams in the area again in 2012. Selena Hicks will return as a junior pitcher, and is expected to be among the top returning pitchers in the area. Alsup expects Hicks to improve her command during the summer travel season. 

Returning varisty player Sierra Burke can play multiple positions and is a solid offensive player, hitting six homeruns this season. Junior third baseman Kelly Merkle will join Burke as one of the top returning hitters and will play excellent defense at the hot corner. Merkle batted .447. 

Morgan Craft helped to solidify first base, hitting .421 during the regular season. Jessica McNabb will return at second base. Alsup is also looking forward to promoting some members of a strong freshmen class to varsity. 

Returning players will participate in Monday evening workouts for several weeks starting this coming Monday until later this summer when such workouts are not allowed, Alsup said. 

“You’re going to have to be a pretty good player to crack our lineup,” Alsup said. “You can’t just win softball games with pitching. You need those clutch hits.” 

Despite failing to advance deep into the state playoffs, senior catcher Kelly Johnson felt there were some high moments during the year, such as a KLAA North title and a first-place finish in the prestigious Fred Pieper Tournament in Royal Oak in May. 

“I think we were a bit inconsistent at times this year but we won a lot of games,” Johnson said earlier this year. “Expectations are always high here at Lakeland.” 

Johnson and fellow senior Kelsey Cleary will both be attending Michigan State next season. Shortstop Devon Olah will be competing at Alma. And pitcher Michelle Stiltner will be attending University of Mt. Union in Ohio to play softball. 

“All of our seniors had great careers, and they won about 130 games as a class which is remarkable,” Alsup said. “I’m very proud of them and our accomplishments this season.”