Sports
Highlight Reel: Groves Shines on the Diamond
The Falcons' softball and baseball teams had an amazing week.
Groves softball streaking toward back-to-back OAA title
Three doubleheaders, six wins: Now, that’s a great week.
The girls softball team scored 73 runs and forced the mercy rule in four of its wins last week. The Falcons began the week May 2 with victories at home over Southfield Lathrup 12-7 (five innings) and 17-2 (four innings). On Wednesday, Royal Oak provided tougher competition, but Groves still came out ahead in both games, winning 8-6 and 9-6. Then on Thursday, the .
Left-fielder Michelle Freedman had a field day in the doubleheader against Berkley, hitting eight for nine with seven RBIs.
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Groves coach Ryan Minarik said his three through six hitters are all hitting over .400 this season, and he’s confident the lineup will keep playing well. However, the key for a second consecutive Oakland Activities Association Blue title will be performing well on defense, he said.
Perfect week for Groves baseball
The Falcons boys varsity team tried to match the girls performance, and it sure came close. Groves won four games this week, three of them within the OAA Blue division. The team improved its record to 8-5 on the season and 6-4 within the division.
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On May 2, the Falcons won at West Bloomfield 4-2. Star pitcher Mike Mestdagh picked up another win and struck out 10 batters in six innings.
Groves then won back-to-back home games Tuesday and Wednesday. During its 10-0 win over Harrison on Tuesday, Kevin Malerman had three RBIs, and Wes McCann hit two home runs. Against North Farmington on Wednesday, the Falcons won 4-1; the Raiders had only one hit in seven innings.
On Friday, Groves closed out the week with a 4-1 road win at Berkley.
Marian soccer closing in on division title
Marian High School is only one win away from locking down the Division 1 title in the Catholic League. The Mustangs tied Ladywood 3-3 on Tuesday but picked up another shutout win on Thursday over Farmington Hills Mercy 4-0. It was the fourth shutout Marian has won this season.
Marian now only needs a win Tuesday at Regina or Thursday at Mercy to win the Division 1 title. Another loss by Ladywood would also do the trick; the Mustangs are 6-0-1, while Ladywood is 4-1-3. Winning Division 1 would give the Mustangs a top seed in the Catholic League championship May 17.
Brother Rice golf wins pair of division meets
One of the top teams in the state last year is looking good again this year. Brother Rice High School picked up a pair of nice wins this week and is only a half-game back in the Catholic League Central Division behind De La Salle.
The Warriors beat St. Mary’s Preparatory 143-159 on May 2 and came right back Tuesday to beat University of Detroit Jesuit 155-166.
A meet between Brother Rice and De La Salle is scheduled for Monday. If Catholic Central loses one of its final meets, a win Monday could give Brother Rice a share of the division title.
Country Day soccer nets two shutouts
The lady Yellowjackets of Detroit Country Day did not allow a goal this week in two games. On May 2, the girls beat Greenhills Ann Arbor 5-0 and on Thursday beat Fenton 1-0. In their last four games, the girls have three wins and have outscored opponents 8-2.
