Jets Softball Takes District Championship; Vandenburgh Named Coach of Year

The Jets celebrate after winning the Great Lakes District A Softball Championship. Photo courtesy Jackson College.

(May 17, 2022 7:23 PM) The Jackson College Jets softball team captured the Great Lakes District A Softball Championship title Saturday.

The Jets were undefeated in the tourney, topping Kalamazoo Valley CC 8-0 in game 1, Muskegon CC 3-1 in game 2, Lansing CC 4-3 in game 5, and again facing Lansing in the final game, winning with a score of 8-0. The Jets advance to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Oxford, AL, May 24-28. They are 20-8 in the MCCAA and 34-12 overall.

“I think the team went into the weekend with a little chip on their shoulder, having not secured a share of the conference championship and landing the no. 5 seed.” said coach Jamie Vandenburgh. “We took advantage of opportunities when we had them, and a couple timely big hits helped propel us forward.

“What I was most impressed with was their team camaraderie. They were excited for each other. Everyone had a part to play, a role, and they served those roles well.”

Thursday’s game against Muskegon went into extra innings. With the game tied 1-1 after seven innings, in the eighth they scored a run off a sacrificial fly by freshman Carolina Kern, with Muskegon called for obstruction at home plate. Next up, Emily Breslin singled to left field to score Kylee Yon.

In Friday’s winner’s bracket game against Lansing, the Jets went to the seventh inning tied 3-3. Kern led off the inning with a home run to center field, and the Jets held them at the bottom of the inning for the win.

Northwest High School graduate Danielle Louagie had the highest batting average on the team over the tournament at .600 and three hits. Stockbridge High graduate Emily Breslin earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors, throwing two complete shutouts. She also had five hits, two doubles, two home runs and seven runs batted in. Yon also added five hits including a triple, and Kate Leach and Kern each added four hits. Sophomore Brooklyn Barton, in her third year with the program, had a stellar tournament at shortstop – accounting for 21 outs! Vandenburgh received Coach of the Year honors.

“I am excited for the team to have this experience in Oxford, AL. It will help build the expectations for years to come… but also will be a fun experience,” Vandenburgh said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue playing this season!”

Those named to the All-Tournament Team from JC include