Oakland County Softball District Preview

Davison District

Winner: Grand Blanc

Explanation – Grand Blanc is the most complete team in this district with the combination of pitching and hitting, and that’s the key to get to regionals.

U-D Jesuit District

Winner: Detroit Renaissance

Explanation – This might be the easiest road to regionals in the state, and Renaissance has the best team.

Warren Regina District

Winner: Warren Regina

Explanation – Home field advantage is always a plus for teams, but Regina doesn’t really need it. Regina will cruise.

Troy Athens District

Winner: Troy Athens

Explanation – This was easily the hardest district to predict and it will come down to rivals Troy and Troy Athens. Usually I’d give the upper hand to the team with the experience and that’s Troy. But pitching in the postseason is the difference maker and Athens has just that with Haley Zemmer.

Utica District

Winner: Rochester

Explanation – The Falcons have been overlooked all year long, but have quietly put together an impressive season. Romeo will head into this district as the favorite, but Rochester will continue its Cinderella season.

Lake Orion District

Winner: Clarkston

Explanation – The Wolves have been one of the county’s top teams all year long, and they shouldn’t have much trouble moving onto regionals. Megan Hastings and Sydney Hasselbach will give Clarkston all of the offense it will need.

Lakeland District

Winner: Lakeland

Explanation – Lakeland is now at full strength and they are making teams pay for it now. With Selena Hicks back and Kelly Merkle, Sierra Burke and Hannah Szajner among others playing well, Lakeland has as good of a shot as any to be playing for it all in a few weeks.

Brighton District

Winner: South Lyon

Explanation – South Lyon and Brighton are the only two teams in this district with winning records, so I’ll give the advantage to the Oakland County team.

Southfield-Lathrup District

Winner: Birmingham Groves

Explanation – The district winner will likely be West Bloomfield or Birmingham Groves. West Bloomfield has the always strong pitching from Allyson Kus, while Groves has Keely Nowland. But the difference maker could very well be Zoe Schmerin who can flat out hit.

North Farmington District

Winner: Farmington Hills Mercy

Explanation – As long as North Farmington advances to the semifinals, Saturday’s semifinal between the Raiders and Mercy could be one for the ages. Mercy’s Kayce Nieto has thrown three no-hitters in a row this year, while North’s Katy Severson has thrown a perfect game and a no-hitter as well. The first team to score just might end up winning.

Livonia Ladywood District

Winner: Livonia Ladywood

Explanation – There’s a reason why Ladywood was Catholic League champs this year and it’s the same reason the Blazers will be District champs.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep District

Winner: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep

Explanation – Experience is always a positive in the postseason and the Irish have tons of it on this year’s squad and that will make the difference this week.

Warren Fitzgerald District

Winner: Hazel Park

Explanation – It’s been a pretty memorable season for Hazel Park this year, but it won’t end this week thanks to its impressive lineup.

New Haven District

Winner: Madison Heights Bishop Foley

Explanation – The Ventures have had a nice season this year and have done it quietly, but Bishop Foley will make some noise with its offense once the playoffs get under way.

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes District

Winner: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

Explanation – Lakes has continued to dominate this district year after year and this year won’t be any different.

Southfield Christian District

Winner: Southfield Christian

Explanation – Southfield Christian has too much talent to lose this early, and head coach Ken Brown will be retiring at the end of the season and the Eagles are looking to send him out on top.