Cards defeat Jo-Burg, lose to Superior Central in regional title game

After winning their second straight district softball title, the Cardinals headed to Johannesburg Saturday with their sights set on winning a regional title.

In the regional semifinal game against the Johannesburg-Lewiston Cardinals, Onaway would strike first in the bottom of the first after Amanda Pomranke retired the first three Jo?Burg hitters in order. Amanda Pomranke would lead off the inning with a walk, and after a fly out by Allie Nave, Danielle Cleaver stepped to the plate and smacked a two-run homer over the left field fence to put Onaway up 2-0. The homer was her 11th of the year, which puts her in the MHSAA record books.

Amanda Pomranke was un-hittable for the first four innings as she retired the oppositions first 12 batters in order, five via the strikeout. Jo?burg would rally for two runs in the fifth inning to end the no-hitter for Amanda Pomranke, who finished the game with nine strikeouts and giving up just four hits.

Onaway would add two in the bottom of the third on RBI by Christine Pomranke and Kate Chapman, two in the fourth on a two RBI single by Stephanie Richards, three in the fifth and one in the sixth to cruise to the 10-4 victory and a spot in the regional title game. Cleaver was three for three with a home run, and an intentional walk. Richards, Hayley O?Meara and Nave were each two for four and Christine Pomranke, Amanda Pomranke, Danielle Chapman, Kate Chapman and Kourtni Hyde each added hits.

The regional final game would feature Onaway against Eben Junction Superior Central, a team from near Marquette, who won their semifinal game over Pellston by a score of 10-0.

Onaway was held scoreless in the second while Superior would score to make the score 3-2. In the top of the fourth inning the Cards would load the bases but could not score, while Superior scored twice in the bottom half to take a 4-3 lead.

Cleaver would lead off the fifth with a walk, she stole second and moved to third on a groundout by Richards, but

would be stranded there. Superior would add one more run in the bottom of the fifth to take the 5-3 lead, enough to win the game by that score.

Amanda Pomranke took the loss on the mound, going the whole way giving up nine hits and striking out four. Hyde was three for three while Cleaver was two for three with a walk. Danielle Chapman and Christine Pomranke also added hits for the Cards.

Coach Jodi Brewbaker had this to say on the Cards season,?Excellent, absolutely excellent. These girls proved to everyone the unthinkable. Everyone counted them out after we lost seven seniors from last year.?

The Cards will lose two seniors to graduation, centerfielder Danielle Chapman and pitcher/outfielder/infielder Christine Pomranke. Twelve letter winners will return to the team next year and they intend to make the season one game longer.

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