Wyandotte Roosevelt Softball Team Starts Season with Some Huge Games

The varsity girls softball team enters the 2011 season with high expectations. The team has a lineup of five seniors, five juniors and three sophomores. Even though their first three games have not been played against Downriver League competition, these 13 girls have a way of making every game exciting.  

Thursday's game against the Grosse Ile Devils showcased what the future may hold.

Senior Madison Brewer held the Devils to one run over four innings and the Bears got three runs batted in from both junior Audrey Noles and sophomore Rachel Zimmers in a 17-1 rout that ended after four innings due to a mercy rule.

The Bears started early and fast, scoring four runs in the first inning, including two on a fly ball to center by Zimmers that scored two. Wyandotte’s patience at the plate in this inning was key, as the girls drew numerous walks to set up their scoring. 

Brewer held the Devils to their only run in the bottom of the first and Wyandotte led 4-1. The game was never closer after the first inning. 

Wyandotte only managed one run in the second inning, but Brewer’s outstanding pitching in the bottom half of the inning kept the score at 5-1. 

During the third inning, the Bears scored six runs to stretch the lead to 10. The bottom half of the inning saw a great defensive play from Brewer as a line drive came back at her, only for her to make a leaping catch to rob the Devils of a hit. 

The fourth inning saw the Bears tag the Devils for six more runs. Because the Bears were up by more than 15 in the game, a victory was posted for the road team. (High school softball rules dictate if a team is up by more than 15 after three innings or 10 after five innings, then the game is to be halted.)

Even with the big victory, Wyandotte head coach Jackie Jagiello wants her team to remain focused on the field.  

“We showed more focus today on the field and a lot more discipline at the plate," she said.

Jagiello’s words prove a point. The Bears' patience at the plate enabled them to draw numerous walks. Due to this, the Bears were able to get on base and put up the 17 runs. Brewer said the team's chemistry is getting stronger.

“We hustled well today and we learned to be patient at the plate,” Brewer said. “We tried to go against getting the big hit every time.”  

With only five seniors on the team, Kaila Vukovich said she believes the team has a chance for great success, but also must grow together. 

“Today I felt that we came closer as a team," she said. "I expect us to get better all around and find ways to grow together.” 

A Look Back

On Wednesday, the team played a doubleheader against Dearborn Heights Annapolis. The Bears played tough, winning both games with a mercy-shortened 10-0 score for the first game and a close 2-1 score for the second game. Leading the way for the Bears in the two games was Zimmers, who had a combined five hits in the game. 

A Look Ahead

Wyandotte is off until next week when they will play four games in six days. The Bears play away at Taylor Truman at 4 p.m. Monday, at home against Southgate at 4 p.m. Wednesday and away at Riverview for a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.