Vicksburg’s varsity softball team saved its best play for the postseason. The girls went on a deep playoff run. It culminated in a rematch against top-ranked Stevensville Lakeshore in the Division 2 Regional Final. The Bulldogs fell in that matchup 5-2, but they didn’t make it easy for the Lancers.
“I’m proud of the girls, they competed their hearts out all year round, and we peaked at the right time, Head Coach Steve Peters said. “It just wasn’t good enough to beat what could potentially be the state champion.”
Vicksburg first had to get past Dowagiac in round one of regionals. That game was a pitching battle and getting hits proved challenging. In the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs had two runners on with one out. The Chieftains then walked Lena Lancaster to load the bases. Alyssa Smith came into the game and hit a deep fly ball. A fielder caught it, but Kayla Chisholm got the run in to make it 1-0.
Dowagiac tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a big double RBI that turned into a triple on an error. The game was tied 1-1 at the end of seven, forcing extra innings. Chisholm batted first, hitting a lead off pop fly that a Chieftain fielder dropped. The play turned into a double after a throwing error. A few pitches later, Chisholm stole third and then ran home on another errant throw to break the tie. This opened the floodgates as Lancaster walked a second time. Smith then singled, setting up two on base with no outs. Camlyn Reed advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt.
Harper Roy then hit another fly that the fielder missed, allowing two runners to score and make it 4-1. Allison Truckey finished off the bottom of the inning with two strikeouts to end it. Truckey pitched both the game against Dowagiac and the one against Stevensville. The two games were only about two hours apart. She struck out 12 Chieftain batters and one Lancer. Truckey also made a few key fielding plays against both teams.
“She makes the pitch and then makes the play defensively to help herself out,” Peters said. “She’s the real deal in the circle for us and gives us a chance any time she’s there.”
Vicksburg started off the game against Lakeshore strong. Lancaster hit a lead off base hit to start the top of the second inning. She ran home a few plays later when Truckey hit a big triple to right field. Emmah Schroeder came in as courtesy runner for Truckey and scored on a Camlyn Reed pop out to make it 2-0. Stevensville tied the game in the bottom of the inning. The Bulldogs were unable to get any more momentum going with the bats. Lakeshore won the contest 5-2.
“Early adjustments helped, but we just weren’t consistent enough with getting it done today,” Peters said.
Vicksburg performed better in the postseason than many were expecting. They eliminated number two ranked Coldwater 5-3, in Districts. The Bulldogs also improved upon a regular season meetup with Stevensville. Their prior meeting ended in a 12-0 mercy in five innings.
“They’re a completely different team. They’re competing hard, working hard, doing everything we ask of them,” Peters said.
It also bodes well for the future. The Bulldogs only lose four seniors in Makenzie Rose, Emmah and Kylynn Schroeder, and Chisholm. The incoming groups of new players look promising to Peters.
“I think we’ve got a really strong group of freshmen this year. We lose some big parts like Kayla Chisholm at shortstop and kind of in the three-hole for us. But we’ve got kids behind them that are working really hard, and we’re excited,” Peters said. “We’ll go back to work and get ready for next year.”
