Groves Softball Sweeps Berkley in Doubleheader

BERKLEY – That’s one way to build some momentum.

The varsity softball team swept a doubleheader in impressive fashion on Thursday over Oakland Activities Association rival Berkley by a combined score of 32-15. The Falcons won the first game 15-8 and only needed five innings to close out the second game with a 17-7 mercy-rule win. 

Groves pitcher Keely Nowland picked up wins in both games while Groves leftfielder Michelle Freedman was nearly perfect in the doubleheader, hitting eight for nine with seven RBIs. As a team, Groves hitters combined for 31 hits and 11 walks. 

“Boy, it was one through nine today,” Groves coach Ryan Minarik said. “Our three through six (hitters) are all batting over .400. It’s just that bottom group that really came alive.”

And the lineup came alive early in both games. It was a seven-run second inning in the first game and a 10-run first inning in the second game that set the tone for Groves.

The only time the Falcons struggled was when it had problems fielding the ball. In the first game, the Falcons had a 9-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth and two errors almost put Berkley right back into the game. 

Miscommunication between Groves infielders and outfielders allowed two routine fly balls to hit the ground. The errors allowed Berkley's Jessica Steele to hit a bases-clearing triple to make the game 9-6.

Luckily, the Falcons bats never slowed down. Groves closed out the first game with two runs in the fifth, a run in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

In the second game, the Falcons helped Berkley out with a throwing error and three passed balls. Berkley put up five runs in the frame, but Groves didn’t wait long to steal the lead back.

Bears starting pitcher Allison Soboleski only recorded two outs for Berkley in the bottom of the first and had to face 15 batters. The Falcons drew six walks in the inning along with six hits.

“I think that demoralized them a little, when you give up a 10-run inning that’s tough,” Minarik said.

Minarik replaced starter Dayna KcZlousk with Nowland in the second inning and Nowland locked the game down for Groves. She pitched three perfect innings and only allowed baserunners in the fourth, giving up three hits and two runs during the inning.

The doubleheader sweep on Thursday was the second one this week for the Falcons. On Wednesday, Groves won two games against OAA Blue rival Royal Oak.

“We thought there are like three teams in contention for the league with us and we thought those teams were two of them,” Minarik said.

The Falcons have another OAA Blue doubleheader next week on Wednesday (4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.) against Hazel Park. A sweep could put them in prime position for back-to-back OAA Blue titles.