Baseball
Division 3 State Semifinals
Madison Heights Bishop Foley vs. Saginaw Nouvel
Bishop Foley has been flat out dominant all season long and
that has had a lot to do with its pitching. Brian Bayliss has been as good of
an ace as any in the state, while Garrett Schilling has put up ace-like numbers
as well.
Prediction: Bishop Foley 6, Nouvel 1
Mancelona vs. Lansing Catholic
Both teams are coming off of a thrilling extra-innings win,
but Lansing Catholic has been dominant all season long behind its 30-5 mark, so
the edge will go to Lansing Catholic.
Prediction: Lansing Catholic 8, Mancelona 3
Finals
Madison Heights Bishop Foley vs. Lansing Catholic
Bishop Foley has had some of the best pitching in the state
all season long, while Lansing Catholic has been one of the top offensive teams
from start to finish. But in the playoffs, good pitching always beats good
hitting.
Prediction: Bishop Foley 4, Lansing Catholic 0
Softball
Division 1 State Semifinals
Lakeland vs. Mattawan
The Eagles have an incredibly tough path to get to the final
game as they have face defending state champion, Mattawan. The Wildcats have
yet to allow a run in the playoffs while mowing through the competition, but
Lakeland has been nearly unbeatable over the course of the past few months.
Prediction: Lakeland 2, Mattawan 1
Hudsonville vs. Garden City
Hudsonville won back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010,
but missed out last year. Now the Eagles look motivated to get back to the
state title game as they have been dominant all season long.
Prediction: Hudsonville 3, Garden City 2
Finals
Lakeland vs. Hudsonville
Lakeland has just found ways to win this season, starting
off 16-2 this season without junior ace Selena Hicks and then rallying for
three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a quarterfinal win over
Sterling Heights Steveneson. It won’t be
an easy task to knock off a 38-3 Hudsonville team, but Lakeland just has the
feel of a team of destiny and it helps to have some of that Joe Alsup magic.
Prediction: Lakeland 3, Hudsonville 2 (10 innings)
Girls Soccer State Finals
Division 1
Troy vs. Okemos
Troy went into this season as the No. 3 ranked team in the
nation, and for good reason. The Colts are as talented and as deep as anybody
around and that has started to show during the playoffs. Keeper Alison Holland
has proved to be one of the best keepers in the country all season long and
should prove to be the difference against an Okemos team that is ranked second
in the state.
Prediction: Troy 2, Okemos 0
Division 2
Birmingham Marian vs. Plainwell
Plainwell has allowed just one goal throughout the playoffs,
but Marian has scored 19 goals throughout the playoffs, so expect a contrast of
styles in this game. Plainwell is the defending state champion, while Marian
won two straight titles in 2009 and 2010. I’ll give the ever so slight edge to
the defending state champions in this game.
Prediction: Plainwell 3, Marian 2 (2 OT)
Division 4
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Clarkston Everest Collegiate
vs. Grandville Calvin Christian
Lakes/Everest has yet to lose a game this season, and the perfect record was
put to the test on Wednesday when the Lakers topped defending state champion
Bishop Foley. First year head coach Katie Hearn has the Lakers rolling along
this year, and Calvin Christian is just one last hurdle they have to clear to
cap off a perfect season.
Prediction: WOLL/CEC 3, Calvin Christian 1
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