St. Clair Shores

Lakeview softball celebrates successful season

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Erin Sanchez Lakeview’s softball team won its district before battling hard and falling in a regional semifinal to Anchor Bay. Photo by Erin Sanchez Lakeview’s softball team won its district before battling hard and falling in a regional semifinal to Anchor Bay.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — It was a surprise to pretty much everybody except themselves.

And yet, here was St. Clair Shores Lakeview’s softball team, leading Anchor Bay in a regional semifinal June 9 at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North.

The Huskies eventually lost the contest 3-2, but they were able to walk off the field with their heads held high after proving what they were made of with a solid run in the postseason.

“I’m proud to heck with the girls,” Lakeview coach Paul Knight said. “The seniors really stepped up. These girls played when it mattered.”

Lakeview finished the season 14-15 overall and 4-8 in the Macomb Area Conference White Division. Anchor Bay, state runners-up last year and in 2009, went 6-6 in the MAC Red this season before finishing 27-11 overall.

“I don’t think we were expected to win this game, but I knew that we would play them very hard,” Knight said. “We already played them before, and they scored nine runs on us both times that we played them.

“They played a great game today. I’m disappointed that the season’s over, but I’m not disappointed with the end results.”

Lakeview led 2-1 heading into the sixth inning. Anchor Bay tied it 2-2 with two outs in the sixth and then scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. For a recap and more photos from Lakeview’s final contest, check out our website at www.candgnews.com.

“Nobody thought that we could do it,” Lakeview senior pitcher Jessica Scharffe said. “People didn’t even expect us to win districts, so it was really a surprise to come out and be playing in regionals and be in the game.”

The Huskies, playing in the competitive MAC White, lost several close games. But they turned things around once the postseason started.

“Girls stepped up when they maybe weren’t getting some base hits during the season. They really stepped through during the district,” Knight said.

The Huskies have to say goodbye to a talented senior class, one that led them on their postseason run. Seniors listed on Lakeview’s playoff roster are Scharffe, Lauren Berra, Danielle Forhan, Alixandria Pappas, Katelyn Taormina, Katelyn Haydett and Julia Taormina.

Knight said it was “going to be real tough” to replace the seniors.

“We’re going to be very young next year, so it’s going to be a lot of teaching that I’m going to have to do,” the coach said. “A lot more than what I had to do this year. But I’m excited about it. I’m excited to get at it. I can’t wait for the offseason stuff to begin.”

Asked if the returning Huskies could build off this experience, Knight said, “For sure.”

“It’s going to make a big difference for our girls that are coming back,” the coach said. “They’ve been there before, so they know what it’s like to be in a regional. So I’m expecting them to step up into some major leadership roles and hopefully carry a young team.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040. Follow Jon on Twitter.