A Fawn in the Neighborhood

Regional Girls' Softball Champions - News Herald Article

SOFTBALL: Inter-City edges Shrine for regional crown
Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in the Downriver News Herald
By Shane Preston

The Inter-City Chargers kept their softball season alive Saturday with two victories that earned them a regional title and advanced them to the Division 4 state quarterfinals.

Inter-City beat host Lutheran Westland 8-5 in the opening round and they edged Royal Oak Shrine 2-1 in the title game.

In the opener, Westland led 1-0 going into the fourth, but the Chargers soared ahead with three runs in the fourth, four in the fifth, and one more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Katie Hugan pitched six innings for the victory, allowing one run and one hit while striking out seven.

Ashley Raburn paced the Charger offense with three hits and three RBIs. Casey Thomas collected two hits and two RBIs while Corynne Claypool had two hits.

Inter-City then found itself in a pitcher's duel with Royal Oak Shrine.

In the top of the first inning, Claypool recorded all three outs for Inter-City's defense as she threw out two players on swinging bunts and picked a runner off first after she reached on a two-out single.

Claypool then helped manufacture one of the game's only runs in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single, a stolen base, and a run on an infield groundout by Jillian Kraatz.

Hugan avoided trouble on the mound in the second inning by striking out two batters and inducing an inning-ending groundout after loading the bases with no outs.

Holding onto a 1-0 lead, Sarah Keenan knocked in the eventual winning run with a two-out bases-loaded single that drove in Jillian Kraatz. Inter-City led 2-0 after four innings.

Hugan found herself in a jam again in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out with Shrine's powerful clean-up hitter at the plate.

In a risky move, the Chargers pitched around the batter, walking in a run to make it a 2-1 score.

Unfazed, Hugan responded by promptly striking out the next two batters to escape the inning with the lead.

The last threat posed by Shrine was squashed in the sixth thanks to a fine double-play turned by Rachel Muscat that extinguished a leadoff walk and preserved the Charger victory.

Hugan was magnificent on the hill, allowing only one run and four hits through seven innings, while striking out nine.

Claypool recorded two hits and one run while Sarah Keenan collected one hit and one very big RBI. Casey Thomas and Alicia VanDeraa each had a hit in the win.

Inter-City advanced to the quarterfinals at Flushing High School where they faced Dansville.

(Note by me: One detail not mentioned was the most emotional event, as Katie struck out the very last batter in the last inning. As soon as she burned the last strike across the plate, there was a roar from the crowd like I've never heard before at a high school softball game. As Katie's dad, it was overwhelming!)

More Pictures from Regional Championship

The winning pitch... "Strike Three!"

Katie with Inter-City Seniors

Coach Larry

Katie with her coaches

Inter-City Girls Varsity Softball Regional Champs!

The team won their first game 8-5. Katie finished the first 6 innings with a score of 8-2. Then they played the winner of the second game. Katie pitched the entire game and they won 2-1. According to Sandra's count, Katie had 7 strike-outs in the first game and 9 strike-outs in the second game. Great job Katie!!!! Great job Varsity girls!!
These are some pictures taken by Katie's grandma Miller. I'll post mine when I get them downloaded.

Katie Leads Inter-City Softball to Districts

Michael - Inter-City wins Districts

Michael & Katie Spring 2010

Katie Pitching for Inter-City Baptist

SOFTBALL:
Inter-City takes two
Inter-City (10-3) continued to play well last week, sweeping both double-headers in dominating fashion. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian came into town on Tuesday and the Chargers dispatched the visitors 12-2 and 8-5.
In game one, the Chargers led 3-2 going into the sixth before exploding for nine runs in the inning and running away with the 10-run victory. Eighth-grader Katie Hugan allowed one earned run through six innings of work while striking out three. Casey Thomas was one of many players to collect multiple hits as she collected two hits and drove in three runs. Hannah Connor had two hits and two RBI while Corynne Claypool had two hits with three runs scored. Ashley Raburn, Alicia VanDeraa and Niki Taylor all collected two hits in the victory.
Parkway put up a better fight in the second game, but fell 8-5. Claypool went 3-for-4 with three runs and VanDeraa went 3-for-3 for the Chargers. Hugan picked up another win, allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts through seven innings.
On Thursday, Inter-City's doubleheader with Oakland Christian ended with similar results. The Chargers led 1-0 going into the fifth inning in game one when they again went for nine runs in an inning to cap off a 10-0 victory. Hugan threw a one-hitter and struck out six in her five innings of work. Claypool continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-3 with three RBI and three runs. Rachel Muscat collected two hits in the win.Hits were in no short supply in game two as the Chargers won 17-8, due in large part to a bevy of multiple-hit games.Alexis Zimecki had two hits, two RBI, and two runs for Inter-City. Corynne Claypool, Casey Thomas, Hannah Connor, Ashley Raburn, Rachel Muscat and Jillian Kraatz all collect two hits in the victory. Deanna Thoune drove in two runs for the Chargers in the mauling.

The History of the Cathedral Quartet

This was and still is my favorite group of all. Thanks, mom, for buying me my first Cathedrals tape years ago and putting me on the course to love Southern Gospel Quartet music; especially the Cathedrals!
The History of the Cathedral Quartet

Michael's Test Results

Michael received a good report from the doctor. Biopsy on removed lymph nodes came back negative. It seems that, in layman terms, the lymph node "turned on at some point and wouldn't turn off." We praise the Lord for the outcome. We appreciate Dr. Allan Lamb for how well he treated us and for doing a great job on the surgery.