By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – After scoring first, things were looking bright for the Michigan All-Stars against Indiana West Tuesday night in Sports Fest softball at Bethel College.
Michigan would not score again until the seventh inning in a 9-2 loss to Indiana West.
Former Plymouth (Ind.) standout Jessica Centa was the star of the game and the thorn in Michigan's side as she hit a home run and a triple to lead Indiana West offensively.
While Centa was doing the damage at the plate, former Bremen (Ind.) star Jenni Andrews was baffling the Michigan hitters.
Andrews, who led Bremen to the state finals, scattered four hits and struck out seven in going the distance.
Michigan grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Buchanan's Emily Ross scored on a single by Niles' Cricket Fisher.
Ross had walked and stole second before coming around to score. Ross appeared to be short of the plate and was tagged out by Indiana West catcher Jennifer Fraine. The umpire, however, ruled obstruction on the play and the run went into the books.
Indiana West scored twice in the second inning to grab a one-run advantage. Courtney Michael (South Central) drove in a run and scored on Centa's three-bagger.
The flood gates opened in the fouth inning as Indiana sent 11 batters to the plate. Michigan helped out the West All-Stars with a couple of errors.
"The errors really, really hurt us," Michigan coach Randy Brooks said. "But give them credit, they hit the ball pretty well."
Indiana West got the solo home run from Centa in the fifth and scored a run in the sixth to account for its nine runs.
Michigan wrapped up the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Cassopolis' Samantha Vlasicak drew a walk and came around to score on a single by Dowagiac's Allison Frontczak.
Michigan used three pitchers in the contest beginning with Brandywine's Kendra Zache. Cassopolis' Symone Pompey and Edwardsburg's Jeni Bollenbacher also went into the circle for the All-Stars.
The trio allowed nine runs on nine hits.