Buchanan edges Brandywine to win third straight district championship
Published 9:12 pm Monday, June 2, 2008
By By DON EDEN / Niles Daily Star
BERRIEN SPRINGS – Senior Kendra Zache of Brandywine pitched a perfect four inning performance against Bridgman in the opener as the Bobcats won 15-0, but lost in the championship game 3-1 to Buchanan.
The Bucks reached the finals by shutting out Berrien Springs 5-0 behind the pitching of sophomore Alexis Lenox.
Buchanan (24-13) took the lead for good in the title tilt in the third inning when senior Emily Ross singled to right field and was brought home by junior Jayme O'Bryant with a double to the fence.
Lenox helped to give the Bucks the two run lead and the final score as she had an infield single and the pinch runner was brought home as O'Bryant duplicated her double to the right centerfield fence.
Brandywine started rallies in both the third and fourth innings and stranded two runners in both stanzas.
"That has been characteristic of this team as we have left too many people on base," said Brandywine coach Jim Myers. "Kendra (Zache) pitched well enough to win but Buchanan got the clutch hits and took advantage of their opportunities."
Buchanan has now won the last three district championships in Division 3 with Brandywine winning the previous seven years.
"I am very pleased with the total effort this team gives and now we will shoot to try to make a run in the tournament," stated an elated Buchanan coach Mike Welsh. "The four seniors being our outfielders (Taylor Krumrie, Destyni Dolan and Kayla Nelson) and catcher Ross get to continue playing which pleases me."
Zache will hopefully continue her pitching career at Stetson University next year.
"All five of these seniors on this team have been with me for four years and will be missed a lot as each has been important to this program," concluded a dejected Myers. "It was a tough game to lose."
Buchanan will travel Saturday to Bronson as they will face the host team in the regional.
In the semifinals, Brandywine scored five runs in each orf the first two innings en route to the 15-0 victory.
The Lady Bobcats banged out 13 hits, including two doubles each from Zache, Becky Modlin and Jill Sater.
Buchanan advanced to the title game as it scored four times in the fifth inning to break open the close contest.
The Lady Bucks finished with eighth hits, including a double by Rachel Downs.
Championship Game
Buchanan 101 010 0 – 3 7 1
Brandywine 100 000 0 – 1 6 4
WP – Alexis Lenox (BU, 21-8) and Emily Ross
LP – Kendra Zache (BW, 20-13) and Delaina Schroeder
2B: Jayme O'Bryant (BU) 3, Delaina Schroeder (BR), Becky Modlin (BR)
Records
Buchanan 24-13, Brandywine 24-14
Second Game
Berrien Springs 000 000 0 – 0 1 1
Buchanan 001 040 x – 5 8 1
WP – Alexis Lenox (BU, 20-8) and Emily Ross
LP – Lyndsey Shembarger (BS) and Samantha Carbajal
2B: Rachel Downs (BU)
Records
Berrien Springs 16-17
First Game
Bridgman 000 0 – 0 0 5
Brandywine 551 4 – 15 13 0
WP – Kendra Zache (BW, 20-12) and Delaina Schroeder
LP – Sara Schmaltz (BR) and Kami Krieger
2B: Kendra Zache (BW) 2, Becky Modlin (BW) 2, Jill Sater (BW) 2
Records
Bridgman 10-23