EAST LANSING – Hillman scored more points this season than any team in state history, averaging more than 13 points per game.
But on the big stage at Secchia Stadium on Friday, the combination of slick Holton High School junior pitcher Kenzie Green and a stellar defense backing her up meant the machine never got going.
And senior slugger Ryan Robbins handled the rest of the work.
Robbins hit a two-run single in the second inning and then sealed the game with an incredible three-run homer over the right-field wall, leading Holton to an 8-0 victory in Friday’s Division 4 semifinal and sending the Red Devils to their first ever softball finals appearance.
“This team has worked hard and really improved and now we’re in the state championship game,” said Holton coach Kirk Younts, who has led the Red Devils to four semifinal appearances. “Our defense was great today, but we were awful earlier in the year. We’ve really improved and it’s great to see us playing our best now.”
Holton (29-12-1) will play in the school’s first-ever softball championship game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against No. 1-ranked Unionville-Sebewain (30-11), a perennial softball powerhouse with nine championships, including the past four Division 4 titles.
If the Patriots win Saturday, they will tie Kalamazoo Christian (which won the title from 1996-2000) for a state-record five consecutive softball championships.
Speaking of history, Hillman set a new state record this spring with 561 points for the season and an average of 13.4 points per game going into this weekend. What made it even more impressive was that the Green and Red Devils held the Tigers to just four single hits and zero runs.
Green, a junior, is one of three pitchers Holton uses regularly and kept Hillman off balance with his well-spun pitches.
“I didn’t know anything about their lineup or their record,” Green said. “We’ve played some tougher games this season, so we were prepared for this game.”
Greene benefited from stellar defense behind her as she struck out just two, allowing the Tigers to get the ball to the plate, but the Red Devils held to their strengths defensively, limiting them to just one error.
Shortstop Abby Fowler made a smart stop and throw to first base in the third inning, the outfield trio of Chloe McKee, Aubrey Goings and Emma Monette were nearly flawless and third baseman Monica Mullins made a diving catch in front of the Hillman dugout to end the game.
Holton got all the runs it needed in the first inning on RBI singles from Sidney McCormick and Monette, before Robbins took over the rest of the way.
Robbins, a senior who started as a freshman during Holton’s semifinal run in 2021, drove in the final five runs, including a soaring home run in the sixth inning that sealed the win, his 20th of the season and 50th of his career.
“I’m so happy, not just for myself but for my school and my town,” Robbins said. “I’ve never come this far before, but if I can surprise the world tomorrow and win it, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Holton, ranked fifth in the state, had 10 hits. Lexi Bartolameoli, Robbins, McCormick and McKee each had two hits.
Hillman pitcher Gretchen Weiland allowed 10 hits and walked five while striking out nine batters in a complete game. Autumn Kazuyaka was the Tigers’ only multiple-hit pitcher, going 2-for-3.
Hillman College coach Jason Weiland, whose team finished the season ranked seventh before the start of the season but finished with a 41-3 record, said his players let their nerves go on the big stage.
“When you’re not used to playing in an atmosphere like that, it’s hard to concentrate on your play,” Weiland said. “No disparagement to Holton’s team, they’re a great team, but our kids really came together from the start.”
Click to see the complete box score.
Unionville-Sebewain 6, Mendon 5
For the second straight year, Mendon had the Americans on their tails until the final out, but fell one run short.
In a rematch of last season’s Division 4 championship game, Mendon was down 6-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and the game appeared to be over after the first two batters were out, but after two walks, sophomore Sienna Nightingale delivered a powerful hit to score a run.
After second-year USA coach Mark Reinhart and fourth-year starting catcher Gabby Crum conferred with Olivia Green on the mound, she calmly struck out the next batter to return the Patriots to the finals.
“We kept it simple because we just needed to get one more out,” said Crum, who will play at Saginaw Valley State University next year. “Softball is 90 percent mental strength. We knew Olivia would live up to our expectations, and she did.”
The USA (30-11) scored three runs in the third inning on hits by Ella Newman and Crum and one each in the first, fifth and seventh innings to secure the victory.
Leadoff hitters Riley Betson and Crum each had 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 4 at-bats.
Green pitched seven innings, allowing 10 hits, walking three and striking out 11.
“A game like this is like having a heart attack every 30 seconds,” Reinhart joked. “We won because our key veteran players have been here before and know how to win here. Now we’re hoping they can step up and get another win.”
Mendon, which finished third with a 38-5 record, had more hits (10-7) but committed four errors and left nine runners on base.
The Hornets, who lost 5-4 to the United States in last year’s final, were led by Jaedyn Samson, who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, and Nightingale, who went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI.
Sophomore Rowan Allen pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits, no walks and striking out five.
Mike Smith, the Hornets’ co-head coach along with Steve Butler, emphasized how proud the coaching staff is of a team that made it to the semifinals again without any seniors, but he said there were plenty of moral victories for the team at this point.
“Close games are great, but close games are not our goal,” Smith said. “USA is a great program, but we’re tired of playing them and losing. Maybe next year we can find a way to beat them.”
Click to see the complete box score.
photograph (Top) Holton’s Aubrey Goings (4) erupts in celebration as teammate Chloe McKee catches the ball during her team’s victory in Friday’s semifinals. (Center) USA’s Olivia Greene makes a throw during her team’s victory at Secchia Stadium.
