Brandon’s varsity softball team dominated its opponents at the Tawas City Tournament ? until the championship game, that is.
The Blackhawks won their first three games at the May 21 tournament before losing a 4-2 contest to Hemlock in the title game. Brandon’s record is now 21-8-1 overall.
Brandon’s familiar one-two pitching punch of junior Jill Perry and senior Jackie Wojtkowicz handcuffed their opponents in the first three games, allowing a total of one hit combined and pitching three shutouts.
However, the Blackhawks met their match against Hemlock, as the Huskies scored two runs in the first inning, one run in the second inning, and one run in the third inning. Brandon mounted a seventh-inning comeback with two runs, but it was not enough.
Wojtkowicz (9-3) allowed 10 hits and struck out eight.
In the first game of the tournament against Ithaca, Perry hurled a no-hitter in the three-inning contest, striking out seven.
Chelsea Wengren led the Brandon offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Ashley Prescott, Katie Flood, and Lauren Ross each had two hits, while Ashley Brady had four RBI.
Wojtkowicz followed Perry’s strong performance with one of her own against Standish in the second game, as the Blackhawks earned an 8-0 win. She threw a one-hitter and struck out 13 Standish batters.
The Blackhawks scattered their scoring against the Panthers, scoring two runs in the first inning, one in the third inning, four in the fifth inning, and one in the fifth inning.
Wengren again swung a hot bat for the Blackhawks, going 2-for-4 (including a home run and a double) with three RBI and two runs scored. Ross went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Meridith Dura went 2-for-4.
The tempo changed for the Blackhawks in the third game of the tournament against Beaverton, as the Blackhawks and Beavers engaged in a pitchers? duel.
However, the Blackhawks had just enough offense to get the job done, earning a 1-0 win. Brady drove in Annemarie Solley with the lone run of the game in the first inning.
Perry made sure that lead held up, tossing another no-hitter while striking out 12 Beaverton batters. Jessica Liebner went 2-for-3 for the Blackhawks, while Wengren went 2-for-4.