EAST LANSING, Mich. (97.1 The Ticket) -- Eight schools were crowned MHSAA state champions in baseball and softball on the campus of Michigan State University on Saturday.
None earned their crown in more dramatic fashion than the Unionville-Sebewaing Patriots softball team.
Leading the Division 4 final 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning over Kalamzoo Christian, things were getting a little shaky for the Patriots as K-Christian put its first two runners on base to begin the inning.
What ensued was so spectacular it made an appearance on the SportsCenter Top 10: a 1-6-3 triple play to end the game and win the title.
The ball was lined back up the middle, before deflecting off the pitcher and right to the shortstop, who quickly touched second base and threw over to first to give USA its sixth state title in 13 years.
.@USAPatriots1 edges Kalamazoo Christian 3-1 in the @MHSAA D4 softball state title on this incredible triple play. Amazing play from the Unionville-Sebewaing infield, but heartbreaking turn for K-Christian. @sacsportsnewsMI pic.twitter.com/AC4AKGZqga
— Patrick Nothaft (@Patrick_Nothaft) June 15, 2019Unionville-Sebewaing, located near the southeastern shores of the Saginaw Bay, was one of two schools from the Thumb region to win state titles on Saturday, joining Millington, who beat Schoolcraft 8-0 in the Division 3 title.
Escanaba won the Division 2 title 7-3 against Stevensville Lakeshore, while Warren Regina took home the Division 1 title by beating Howell 3-2 in eight innings.
On the baseball side of things, Petersburg Summerfield won the Division 4 title over Saginaw Nouvel 9-0, Homer beat Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 4-0 in Division 3, Orchard Lake St. Mary's won the Division 2 title with an 8-1 win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Portage Northern beat Rockford 10-4 in Division 1.
