By Mike Moore Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV
Staff Writer
Napoleon — There’s simple approach to this weekend’s Division 3 softball district for the Napoleon squad.
Keep doing what’s been working.
That’s what coach Doug Richardson said Wednesday evening as his girls continued to prep for a 12:15 p.m. semifinal against East Jackson in the Vandercook Lake district semifinal.
“We have to find a way to do what we’ve done all season long. If we can pitch and get some timely hits, we’ll come out on top.”
It’s a simple approach, at least to say.
Now executing it becomes the mission.
Then again, it’s what the Pirates have done, and done well, all spring.
Following Tuesday’s 8-0 pre-district victory over Vandercook, Napoleon moved to 36-2 on the season.
The 35-2 finish in the regular season had the Pirates ranked as the No. 3 team in the state by the coaches association.
And the formula all season has been pretty simple.
Sydney Coe has been lights out in the circle.
The defense has backed her up, and the offense has scored as needed.
In the pre-district victory against Vandercook, Coe was one walk away from tossing a perfect game, upping her personal record to 28-1.
So far.
Next up for Napoleon is a challenge (or two) against teams the girls have dominated.
In a doubleheader sweep of East Jackson earlier this spring, the Pirates scored 35 runs and didn’t allow one.
The district final is set for 2:30 p.m. against Michigan Center or Grass Lake.
Napoleon swept both in doubleheaders this year.
“You can’t really fear looking past anyone, because we’re not going to,” Richardson said.
His squad won its eighth district title in the past 13 years in 2015, eventually reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic Central.
MSMCC went on to win the D-3 state title.
“The goal is to go out and win a district title,” Richardson said. “That’s as simple as it can be. The girls are fired up and ready. They are excited to get this weekend going and try to make the most of things.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.
