BATTLE CREEK — For the first time this century, Lakeview's softball program can call itself district champs.
Lakeview won its first district tournament title since 1998 after beating Holt, 10-6, in this Division 1 district tournament final in high school softball action at Lakeview High School on Saturday. Lakeview (25-13) advances to play Waverly (22-13) in a Division 1 regional semifinal at noon on June 8.
"These girls get to experience something that hasn't been experience here in awhile," first-year Lakeview coach Jason McCullough said. "It is obviously very great for the girls, and they get to see some success for all the hard work they put in."
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McCullough, an assistant coach last year, took over the program after former coach Brian Ratliff stepped down after 25 seasons. He credits Ratliff for putting down the groundwork for this historic district crown.
"This is something we have been talking about for a long time. We haven't done this in a long time. Our talk after the game to the girls was that they get to teach groups that are coming up behind you, because no one was there to teach you," McCullough said. "The other thing that people lose track of, when coach Ratliff started the middle school program, it was a for a reason. And, we are starting to see that pay dividends. This senior class were seventh graders in that original middle school team, and that has helped us get to where we are today."
Trailing early, Lakeview jumped back in the game on a two-run triple by Faith Hewkin in the bottom of the first. Hewkin later scored on an error for a 3-2 Spartan lead.
Holt responded with three runs in the second for a 5-3 lead before Lakeview tied it back up with back-to-back RBI doubles by Camille Oxley and Brooklyn Berning to make it 5-5.
The momentum to take the lead for good came off the bat of the Spartans' Marin McCullough, who hit a line-drive home run over the center field fence in the fourth for a 6-5 lead. Lakeview went on to score four runs in the fourth on RBI hits by Claire VanDis, Angelia Palma and Sarah Metzger for a 9-5 lead. Palma later added an RBI double in the sixth for a 10-5 advantage.
From there, Palma went on to earn the complete-game victory from the circle as she pitched seven innings, scattering 10 hits, struck out four and walked just two.
Lakeview won the district semifinal in a three-inning, mercy-rule decision, 17-0, over Jackson with Delaney McCullough earning the win as the Spartan pitcher. In the other semifinal, Holt defeated Battle Creek Central, 16-0.
"This feels amazing; this accomplishment is something we have been working hard at," Palma said. "This means a lot to us to win this as a team. We are very close as a team. We are a family, and to win this together, this was great."
Division 2 at Coldwater
Marshall defeated host Coldwater, 12-1, in five innings to win this Division 2 district title. Marshall advances to a regional in Edwardsburg and will play in the 10 a.m. game on June 8. Marshall defeated Harper Creek, 10-4, in the district final to advance. In the other side of the bracket, Coldwater beat Pennfield, 13-0, in five innings.
Division 3 at Parchment
Area teams Delton Kellogg and Galesburg-Augusta were both knocked out of district play in the semifinals on Saturday. Parchment defeated Delton Kellogg, 16-6, in five innings. Kalamazoo Christian ousted Galesburg-Augusta, 19-0, in the other side of the bracket. Kalamazoo Christian went on to beat Parchment, 5-1, in the district final.
Division 3 at Bronson
Host Bronson came away with a district title after beating Union City, 12-3, in the tournament final on Saturday. Bronson had advanced with a 7-0 win over Constantine in the semifinal. Union City walked over Lawton, 15-5, in the other side of the bracket. Bronson advances to play in a Division 3 regional vs. Homer at Constantine in a noon game on June 8.
Division 3 at Homer
Homer edged Jonesville, 3-1, to win this Division 3 district title on the Trojans' home diamond on Saturday. Homer advances to face Bronson in a Division 3 regional at Constantine in a noon game on June 8. Homer advanced to the district final with a 16-0 win over Hillsdale. In the other semifinal, Jonesville beat Quincy, 11-7.
Division 4 at Gobles
The Climax-Scotts/St. Philip co-op softball team saw its season come to an end in a 12-1 loss to Martin in this Division 4 district semifinal. Martin went on to beat Gobles, 7-5, to advance to regionals.
Division 4 at Bellevue
Host Bellevue fell in the district semifinals, losing 5-1 to Dansville in this Division 4 tournament. In the other semifinal, Potterville defeated Maple Valley, 30-23. Dansville went on to beat Potterville in the district final, 26-0.
Contact Bill Broderick atbbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Softball: Lakeview makes history, wins first district title since 1998
