Eagles Softball Looks to Capture Elusive State Title

Expectations are very high for the Lakeland softball team this year. Of course, that isn’t much different from just about any season. 

The Eagles were state runners-up for the third time in the past five years in 2010, losing to Hudsonville, 5-2, in the state finals. That capped a 38-5 season. Just three notable performers are not returning this season to what is shaping up to be perhaps an even stronger team. 

It’ll start with a couple of returning all-state performers in Kelsey Cleary, a Michigan State-bound slugger who hit .441 a year ago with 36 stolen bases. Catcher Kelsey Johnson is one of the best backstops in the state, with a strong bat and what head coach Joe Alsup refers to as a “rocket arm” behind the plate, having allowed just five stolen bases last season. She also led the Eagles with 14 triples. 

Pitcher Michelle Stiltner throws more than 60 mph and won games in the districts, regionals, state quarterfinals and semifinals last season. She had a 0.80 ERA with 152 strikeouts in 148 innings and a 20-3 record. The backup pitcher is expected to be sophomore Selena Hicks. She competed at an older age level in travel ball last summer, compiling a 41-2 record with a wicked change and curve. 

High expectations are always the case with Lakeland, but Alsup feels this team could be particularly special. 

“If we don’t get back to at least the (state) quarterfinals and have a very good regular season, we won’t consider that a successful year for us,” Alsup said. “These girls have been (to the state finals) and have won everything else you could expect. But at some point, you also need to get breaks along the way to win a championship.” 

Twelve of the 17 varsity players are returning letter winners. Last year’s starting shortstop, Candace McCue, would have been a junior, but her family moved out of state. Her spot may be taken by underclassman Hanna Szajner, a summer standout for the noted Compuware travel program. Morgan Craft will likely play second base, and junior Kelly Merkle (also a Compuware player in the summer) brings a strong bat and glove at third base. 

Kendra Kornatowksi can play virtually any position on the field, and Sierra Burke, Stephanie Shatzer and Mary Armstrong are expected to roam the outfield. Burke batted more than .400 last year with six home runs. Jessica McNabb can also play virtually any infield or outfield position. 

“We have great team speed and a number of left-handed batters who are hard to get out,” Alsup said. 

Beyond tradition and hard work, there isn’t necessarily a key to Lakeland’s continued success, Alsup said. The school provides an excellent certified trainer for its sports teams, which helps to keep players toned and fit for the season. The Eagles also participated in MHSAA-approved hitting drills throughout the winter, in which four players at a time were allowed to hit indoors. But Alsup also likes to see his players compete in other sports as a way to get stronger physically. 

“You see some coaches these days want their players to focus on just that one sport, but that’s not how we think,” he said. “All of our girls did a great job preparing themselves this year, and I think we’ll be ready. 

“We have some talent and we have some college players, too, but you also have to work at it,” Alsup added. 

Lakeland will play some difficult nonleague games thanks to challenging tournaments, including one in Battle Creek (the site of the state finals) that will include only state-ranked teams from across Michigan. The Eagles will also try to defend their title at the Piper Invitational in Royal Oak, which attracts many of the best teams from southeastern Michigan. 

Lakeland will be a heavy favorite in the KLAA North this season and is expected to defend its league title among all four divisions. Waterford Kettering and Howell could provide the biggest challenges in divisional and crossover play. 

“We’ll get some great tests to see where we are at early in the season, and I think the conference and the division will be improved,” Alsup said. “It’ll be interesting because we will need to show up to play every game. When a team beats us, it can often make their season.”