Posen earns ninth league title since ?02

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

With a 13-1 record in the North Star League, the Viking softball program (23-9, 13-1) won its fourth straight league title and ninth in 10 years. The honor will be shared with Hillman for the second straight year, as both schools ended up with one league loss against each other. It just so happens the two state ranked programs are pitted against each other in a five-star matchup in the first game of the day Saturday at 10 a.m.

Hillman sent Johannesburg-Lewiston packing with a 4-0 win. Senior pitcher Maci Schook struck out 16 of 21 batters to earn her team?s place in the district semis in Posen. ?Hillman showed yesterday why they are a highly ranked team,? said Posen coach Glenn Budnick. ?I expect a close game between two great programs.? Hillman was ranked fifth in the May 23 Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association polls, while Posen was an honorable mention.

BUDNICK SAID it could come down to the team that gets a break at the most opportune moments. The defense had a hiccup in the loss to Hillman, so the plays will have to be made and the Vikings will have to put the ball into play and put pressure on the Tiger defense. Senior Lindsay Ponik will get the start for the Vikes. Atlanta won the other predistrict game and will play Gaylord St. Mary in

the other semifinal at noon.

Last Thursday, the Vikings took care of business in game one with Mio, 10-0. Game two was another story, as the visiting Thunderbolts stayed with them and trailed by only one, 3-2, before sophomore Abbie Delekta came through with a bases clearing double down the right field line. The final score 9-3. Ponik was the winning pitcher in both games. She gave up one hit and struck out eight in five innings of game one. In game two, she pitched the first four innings (3 R, ER, 3 H, W, 5 K?s). Freshman Ashley Meyers went the final two innings allowing no hits and striking out three.

Senior Leanne Buczkowski (3 RBI) and LeAnn Strzelecki (RBI) were both 2-for-4 with a double. Sophomore Anna Couture had a two-run double, while Abbie Delekta had a two-run single. Junior Emily Delekta had a two-run single, Couture was 2-for-2 with a double and Abbie Delekta was 3-for-3 with 4 RBI. The regional tournament will be played at Pellston with the Posen district winner taking on the Rudyard district champ.

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