Ravenna ends historic softball season in regional finals battle with Calvin Christian (photos, video)

Photos by Bethany McCullough | CatchMark

RAVENNA — Ravenna softball’s season came to an end Saturday after a classic regional finals battle against Grandville Calvin Christian as the Bulldogs fell 1-0 on their home field in Division 3 action.

Calvin Christian, which outhit Ravenna 7-3, scored the game’s lone run in the fifth inning on Lauren Steenstra’s single to left scoring Anna Zoet. The Bulldogs ended the game with runners on first and third.

The young Ravenna squad closed with a 30-9 overall mark, which is a program record for wins. Calvin Christian (33-3) advances to the state quarterfinals, where the Squires will face Parchment at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cornerstone University.

In the regional semifinals Saturday morning, the Bulldogs beat Saranac, 5-2. Calvin Christian defeated Ithaca, 3-1, in the other semifinal.

Here are details from the day:

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Ravenna pitching:

Emma Gillard (LP) 4 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 4 K, 2 BB

Addison Gillard 2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 K, 0 BB

Ravenna hitting:

Maddie Kilbourne 1 H

Emma Herremans 1 H

Kara Postema 1 H

Calvin Christian pitching:

Brooke Hunderman (WP) 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 5 K, 2 BB

Calvin Christian hitting:

Anna Zoet 1 H, 1 R

Lauren Steenstra 1 H, 1 RBI

Grace Walcott 1 H

Karsen Balmer 3 H

Ella Walcott 1 H

SEMIFINALS

Ravenna 5, Saranac 2: Ravenna defeated Saranac in the first semifinal game of the day on the strength of pitcher Emma Gillard, who allowed two runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk. Gillard helped her own cause with a pair of triples, RBI and run scored. Kilbourne had two hits, an RBI and run scored, while Emma Herremans doubled with two RBIs and a run scored. Postema and Ellie Solem also had hits and scored runs for the Bulldogs.

Calvin Christian 3, Ithaca 1: Calvin Christian defeated Ithaca after earning 2 runs in the 6th inning which put them ahead of the Yellowjackets.