Richmond qualifies for state softball tournament
A team representing Richmond will mark the return of Little League state competition by appearing in the 14-u softball tournament next week.
Manager Ben Holmes’ newly formed squad with 12- and 13-year-olds from Ira Township, St. Clair and Richmond qualified by defeating Emmett in the bestof-three District 7 championship series. Holmes didn’t meet some of his players until the first regular-season game in June.
“For us to have players come together and make it this far is really special for these girls,” Holmes said. Emmett scored mercy-rule victories over Richmond in three of four regularseason meetings.
“Every part of their game was good (in the district tournament),” Holmes said. “It was a tough regular season because the girls didn’t know each other.
“A lot of these girls have been playing softball for eight, nine years and they’ve never made it this far before. This is a special thing.”
Little League tournaments for softball and baseball were cancelled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Richmond plays three games next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Byron Township. Four of the 10 qualifiers advance to bracket play that starts Thursday.
Richmond’s traveling party, Holmes said, is making hotel reservations and other plans for the drive of more than two hours. Holmes, the father of five adopted children, including a daughter who plays for Richmond, said he hopes Little League will experience growth in District 7, which expands from the L’Anse Creuse school district into the Blue Water area.
The state champion advances to a regional tournament in Indiana.
Richmond players are Amelia Doriety, Amelia Hill, Jaelyn Jozwiak, Lillian Keller, Lillian Peitz, Selena Holmes, Cheyenne Rashotte, Kimberly Muzia, Samantha Sheridan, Loryn Palo, Kaylee Ketelhut, Makayla Markowski, Ava Jurkiewicz and Kylee Rennie. Jennifer Jozwiak and Chris Ketelhut are coaches.
Emmett defeated Richmond 26-18 in the rain-delayed first game of the district tournament. Richmond followed with 15-5 and 16-3 victories.
“We got better every game,” Holmes said. “The girls never gave up. “They started to believe in themselves and started to believe they had a chance.”