Lakeland Wins 5-4 Thriller to Advance to Final Four

The Lakeland softball team won a 5-4 thriller over Sterling Heights Stevenson, Tuesday, to advance to the final four in Battle Creek. The lady Eagles were down 4-2 going into the bottom of the 7th in the quarterfinal game in Madison Heights.

With the scored tied at 2-2 heading into the top of the 7th inning, Sterling Heights Stevenson scored two runs after two walks, a bunt and a Lakeland throwing error. They seized the momentum as Lakeland came to bat facing elimination. As the girls came into the dugout in the bottom of the 7th, Coach Alsup said, “We’ve been down before. Let’s come back and win it!”

Mary Armstrong led off with a double to the left field corner. Madison Burgess slapped a sharp single to left. With runners on first and third, designated hitter Karissa Gawronski laid down the perfect bunt. The pitcher fielded the ball and fired the ball past the first baseman scoring both Armstrong and Burgess to tie the score at 4-4. Stevenson decided to walk Kelsey Merkle intentionally. On the first pitch, the ball went over the catcher’s head scoring Gawronski for the heart stopping 5-4 win.

The lady Eagles took to heart what Coach Alsup told them. Lakeland was behind Plymouth 4-2 in the KLAA Association Championship game and rallied for the win. It seemed like history repeated itself in the quarterfinal win on Tuesday afternoon. Coach Alsup said after the game, “This is one of the most exciting teams I have had in 35 years of coaching.”

The sophomore tandem of Madison Burgess and Karissa Gawronski combined for 7 of the 8 Lakeland hits. Burgess went 4-4 with three steals while Gawronski was 3-4 and had two RBI’s.

Lakeland heads back to the final 4 in Battle Creek for the fifth time in the past eight years Friday afternoon. The Eagles take on Mattawan at 3:30 p.m. in Bailey Park.