Stockbridge U14 softball wins championship game

by Hope Salyer

Pictured L to R front to back: Kalysta Connolly, Hannah Breslin. Arianna Place, Alexis Hightower, Marissa Goble. Ryan Reechy (assistant coach), Grace Carson, Hailey Gauss, Joslyn Caskey, April Cole, Don Lockhart (Head coach), Hannah Lockhart, Bailey Bartrum, Jacey Gustafson, Gwen Rogozinski, Rylee Reechy, and Brad Caskey (assistant coach). Not pictured: Madison Mazuca and Jamie Phillips Photo provided by
Don Lockhart

The Stockbridge U14 girls softball team won its championship game on Wednesday, July 25 against Fowlerville, 14-4 in five innings.

The Panthers wasted no time in firing up the offense. In the first inning, Joslyn Caskey singled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run. Stockbridge also put up four runs in the fifth inning. Caskey and Hannah Lockhart both drove in runs in the frame.

Lockhart started on the rubber for the Panthers and lasted two innings, allowing two hits and no runs, while striking out six without a walk.

Caskey came in to pitch in the third inning. She went three innings, allowing two hits and four runs with five strikeouts.

The Stockbridge Panthers tallied 15 hits on the day. Caskey, Alexis Hightower, Hailey Gauss, and Lockhart all managed multiple hits. Hightower and Caskey each collected three hits to lead Stockbridge. Gwen Rogozinski also led the Panthers with four stolen bases, as the team ran wild on the base paths with 17 stolen bases.

Despite allowing three runs in the fourth inning, Stockbridge was able to hang on to defeat Fowlerville.

Coach Don Lockhart said the team’s pitching throughout the season was outstanding to say the least.

“Hannah Lockhart and Joslynn Caskey were the two main pitchers, with some relief from Jacey Gustafson and Gwen Rogozinski,” he said.
Hannah Lockhart pitched 45 innings with 111 strikeouts for an earned run average of 2.162. Caskey pitched 34 innings with 72 strikeouts and an ERA of 7.62.

The team also hit the ball well during the season, with a team batting average of .517 and an on base percentage of .644.

“I could not be more proud of every one of these girls, as they bonded better as any team I have ever coached in my 12 years of coaching,” coach Lockhart said. “And on top of it, the parents were great with helping get girls rides to the games when they were not able to and helping with in-between game snacks.

“And a special shoutout to Brad Caskey and Ryan Reechy for assisting me with the team this season,” the coach added. “They were a blessing when practicing drills during practice and keeping the girls focused when needed.”