Armada softball's remarkable runs continues with wild quarterfinal win

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MARYSVILLE — Few, if anyone, expected the Armada High School softball team to be here.

And yet, the Tigers continue to show everyone they belong.

Playing in its first MHSAA state quarterfinal since 2011, Armada gradually overpowered Frankenmuth, 11-4, at Skippers Softball Field on Tuesday, June 9.

The Tigers improved to 35-8 overall and advanced to Thursday’s Division 2 state semifinal against Stevensville Lakeshore in East Lansing. It’ll be the program’s first semifinal appearance since 2010 and just its third since 1979.

Chaos ensued early Tuesday, as Armada took a 2-0 lead on a crazy sequence in the top of the first inning.

With runners on second and third and two outs, a wild pitch scored Grace Girvin from third base. Then, Frankenmuth’s catcher committed another error while throwing to third, which allowed Lilyana Piconke to score.

However, the Eagles promptly pulled in front, 3-2, in the inning’s bottom half with a three-run double down the left-field line.

The Tigers regained the advantage, 4-3, in the fifth inning on another unusual sequence.

With runners in scoring position, Helena Fettue laid down a bunt toward first base, which sent Addy VanHoeck home from third. Frankenmuth’s first baseman missed the tag on Fettue and, in the confusion, Charlotte Stang scored as well. VanHoeck was ultimately thrown out at second base.

Later in the inning, Taylor Capozzo’s RBI single to center field gave Armada a 5-3 cushion.

The Eagles got a run back in the inning’s bottom half on a solo shot to right field.

But the Tigers answered in the sixth, this time with a two-run single up the middle from VanHoeck. Armada added three more runs before the inning ended.

First pitch for Thursday’s semifinal is 3 p.m. at Secchia Stadium.

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Armada softball’s remarkable runs continues with quarterfinal win