Six-run last inning propels major girls to state tourney

The Rogers City major girls Little League all-stars moved on to the state tournament with an exciting win Saturday. Rogers City trailed 5-0 heading into its last at-bat in the deciding game. Dennis Meredith, manager of the team, said his girls hit the ball hard all day, but Cheboygan kept making the defensive plays.

?Being down 5-0 with one bat to go is a very uncomfortable position to be in, but we had the top of the batting order up. I told the girls we need to get the ball into play. Its do or die time,? he said.

Cassie Brege led off with a walk and Logan Fleming drilled a stand up triple to center field to drive in Brege. Ashley Meyers hit a double and Sarah Meredith followed with an RBI double to make the score 5-3. After a pop out by Nikki Radke, Rieanna Altman doubled to score Meredith with the fourth run of the inning. Cheboygan changed pitchers, but that didn?t change Rogers City?s luck as Morgan Hall tripled home Altman to tie the game. With Jessie Butera at bat, manager Meredith told Hall to be ready to race home on a passed ball.

?Because Morgan is a very smart base runner, I was really hoping to send her. Sure enough, one got past the catcher and off she went sliding home for the go-ahead run. Talk about an exciting finish,? Meredith said. Now leading 6-5, Rogers City had to hold off one more at bat for Cheboygan. Meyers got the first two batters out, then walked the third batter. ?The next batter hit a fly ball to Rieanna in right field and she caught it to end what was one of the most exciting games I have ever coached. She was immediately swarmed by 10 other players and a couple of coaches for having caught the last out of the game,? Meredith said.

Meyers went all six innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out seven. Fleming had two hits in the six-hit attack. To get to Saturday?s final game, Rogers City defeated Cheboygan 2-1 on Thursday in the double-elimination tournament. Cheboygan scored its only run in the second inning, scoring on four walks. In the Rogers City third, Brege singled and Meyers doubled her home to tie the score at 1-1.

Rogers City scored what would be the wi

nning run in the fourth inning. Radke walked and with two out Rachel Chojnacki hit a pop fly down the first baseline. The Cheboygan second baseman got her glove on the ball in fair territory, but couldn?t make the catch and tipped the ball over the fence down the foul line, allowing Radke to score. Rogers City left the bases loaded in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Brege and Meyers each had two hits in the contest. Rogers City now goes on to the state tournament, which begins with a pool play to determine who goes on to the final rounds. The team plays Mattawan Saturday in Croswell, north of Port Huron.

The field is located behind the Croswell-Lexington Schools on Highway 90, also called E. Peck Road in Sanilac County. Croswell is approximately 230 miles from Rogers City.