(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jeff Connelly for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Softball Team completed a successful week of competition, winning four of five games last week.
After taking both games of a double header from Dexter last Monday, the Bulldogs traveled to Saline Wednesday for a single game against the Hornets.
The game was in question early after Chelsea uncharacteristically committed 3 errors and gave up 4 unearned runs in the second inning. Saline jumped out to a 5-1 lead.
After the miscues, the Chelsea bats came to life, responding with 10 hits and 13 runs in the top of the third inning to take a decisive 14-5 lead.
Chelsea’s defense bounced back in the third and Chelsea went on to win the game 16-6 in five innings.
Offensively, Chelsea was led by Caroline Hirth who 3 for 4 on the day with 1 RBI, Alise Hale who was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and Peighton Root who was 2 for 2 with with 2 RBI’s. Grace Bush (2), Hannah Kahler (2) and Maddie Vasquez (2) had multiple hits and RBI’s in the game. Maddie Kemp (4) and Sydnee Liedel (1) also drove in runs for the Bulldogs.
Maddie Vasquez (5), Peighton Root (3) and Maddie Kemp (2) all hit home runs for the Bulldogs.
Kemp was credited with the win, pitching all 5 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 earned runs while striking out 6. The win is Kemp’s 15th of the season.
On Thursday, May 10, Chelsea played a double header with SEC Red Division power, the Monroe Trojans. Both games were slugfests as the teams combined for 42 runs and 54 hits (8 home runs).
Chelsea was victorious in game one 13-6, though they lost their starting pitcher Maddie Kemp in the 2nd inning, after she was struck by a line drive in her non-throwing elbow. Pitcher Haley Townsend was called upon to step in and did a wonderful job in relief, keeping the Trojan hitters off balance while earning her 7 win of the season.
Offensively, the Lady Bulldogs were led by Hannah Kahler, Caroline Hirth and Alise Hale all whom went 3 for 4 at the plate and combine for 4 RBI’s. Sydnee Liedel went 3 for 5 in the game and drove in 3, while Maddie Vasquez and Peighton Root both went 2 for 4 and combine for 4 RBI’s. Sydney Hines also had an RBI in the game.
Hale, Vasquez and Root all hit home runs in the contest.
In game 2, Monroe established an early lead and though the Bulldogs fought back valiantly, they were unable to cool Monroe’s hot hitting and lost 15-8.
Chelsea was led by senior Grace Bush and juniors Sydnee Liedel and Peighton Root who each went 3 for 4 at the plate and combine for 2 RBI’s. Maddie Vasquez tallied 2 RBI’s as the result of a 2-run homerun in first inning, while Alise Hale had 4 RBI’s after hitting a monster grand slam in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
Sydnee Liedel (2), Peighton Root (4), Maddie Vasquez (7) and Alise Hale (9) all homered in the contest.
The Lady Bulldogs have now combined for 30 home runs this season.
Chelsea plays on Monday, May 14 when they travel to Pinckney High School for a double header with the Pirates at 4 p.m.
Chelsea returns home on Thursday, May 17 at 4 p.m. for the Chelsea quad, where they will square off with both the Grass Lake and Eaton Rapids High Schools, before traveling to Woodhaven High School on Friday, May 18 for a double header.
Chelsea is now 24-4-1 on the season.
