Ida, Jefferson, Summerfield alive in tournament
6/16/2006There are only 16 teams left in the four divisions of the Michigan state softball tournament, and three of them are from southeast Michigan.
Ida, Monroe Jefferson and Summerfield will represent the area in three of the four divisions.
Ida (31-4) will play Gladstone (34-11) in a Division 3 semifinal today at 4 p.m. at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.
The Bluestreaks rallied to beat Napoleon 7-4 last Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
Ida has outscored opponents 26-4 in its last three tournament games led by senior pitcher Chelsea Brancheau and the top four hitters in the order Samantha
Hoffman, Rachel Sepesy, Kiley Thornton and Carrie Thompson have been productive in the postseason.
In Division 2, Monroe Jefferson will face Ionia (37-6) in a semifinal matchup at 6 p.m.
Monroe Jefferson (28-6) defeated Livonia Ladywood 5-3 in the quarterfinals, pounding out 11 hits. The unranked Bears have already knocked off the No. 1 team (Ladywood) and No. 6 team (Trenton) in the state.
The Summerfield Bulldogs carry the hopes of southeast Michigan in Division 4.
Summerfield, which easily dispatched Martin 11-1 in the quarterfinals, squares off against Ellsworth (29-4) at 1:30 p.m.
Summerfield (29-5) is making its first appearance in the state final four in 22 years.
The state finals are slated for tomorrow in Battle Creek.
-Mark Monroe