Chalk this one up to experience.
The Goodrich softball team’s season to remember ended with a 7-1 loss to eventual Division 2 champion Wayland in a June 16 state semifinal game at Bailey Park in Battle Creek. Wayland (40-3) defeated Monroe Jefferson 7-4 the following day for the Division 2 title.
The Martians, who made their second trip to the state semifinals in school history, finished the season 35-7-1. Goodrich, which had two seniors on this year’s team (Alyssa Bertrand and Tara Garman), was facing a Wayland team laden with seniors and juniors in their starting lineup.
Wayland featured three players who made the Division 2 All-State softball first team: shortstop Brittini Merchant, second baseman Katie Greenman and pitcher Misty Willison.
Wayland’s big inning came in the bottom of the third, when the Wildcats scored five runs (although only one was earned) off Goodrich starting pitcher Tori Morgan to break a scorless tie. Megan Smith replaced Morgan with two outs in the third inning and allowed two runs in 3-1/3 innings of work.
Goodrich managed just two hits off Willison, who struck out seven Goodrich batters. The Martians scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth inning, when Kelsey Krych walked and scored on a single by Garman.
Despite the loss, the future appears bright for the Martians, who lose just the two seniors, Bertrand and Garman (an honorable mention All-State selection), from this year’s team. Next year’s returning core of players will be led by junior Kelsey Krych, an All-State selection as an outfielder.
However, whether or not Goodrich coach Amy Gall will be back to coach the team next season has not been officially resolved as of press time.
Gall, who was also an assistant varsity girls basketball coach and English teacher at Goodrich this past school year, was hired in April as the varsity girls basketball coach at Davison High School. She will also teach English at DHS next season.
During an April interview, Gall said she intended to come back and coach the Martians? softball team next season. Neither Gall nor Goodrich athletic director Al Martus could be reached for comment as of press time.