Cards power their way to third straight title
by Peter Jakey. Managing Editor
Coming off the field in the bottom of the sixth inning, Onaway softball coach Jodi Brewbaker called her players together for their usual huddle and yelled, ?Believe!? She told the girls, ?Teams come back, it?s our turn!?
Momentum had been clearly on Rogers City?s side through the first six innings last Saturday in Hillman, as they built a 5-0 lead against the Cardinals. Along the way, Huron starter Sammi Brege limited Onaway to four base runners.
Well, momentum can shift on a dime.
Senior Danielle Cleaver ignited an Onaway rally that will be remembered for many years to come with a solo homer. Still down by four runs, time was running out and they needed more base runners. Senior Stephanie Richards got on base, but got only as far as second when the second out of the inning was recorded.
With Rogers City on the brink of celebrating a victory, the Cards kept putting the ball in play, bringing home Richards and getting Deanna Demaestri and Kate Chapman aboard. That set the table for senior Shaylee Sachs, who had a 2-2 count and was fighting to keep Onaway?s season alive.
Down to her last strike, the number nine hitter etched her place in Onaway softball hsitory with a three-run homer to right/center field to tie the game at five. The Cards would power themselves into the district final as freshman Molly Cleaver blasted a two-run shot, into th
Onaway went on to defeat Posen in the district final for the third year in a row, 4-2. ?It was unbelievable!? said Brewbaker, who had never been a part of come from behind win like the one against Rogers City in her college playing days or coaching. ?The girls work hard for me.?
Up next will be Harbor Light Christian at the regional tournament in Rogers City. Two years ago, the Cards got as far as the regional semifinal game, while last year it was the regional championship game. What will happen this year?
The next step would be a regional title, something no girls? program has done at OHS. The ?09 Cards will try to make history again this weekend.