Cheboygan softball tops Harbor Springs, will face Boyne in semifinals

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PHOTOS: Cheboygan hosts Harbor Springs in D3 softball pre-district

The Cheboygan Chiefs hosted Harbor Springs in an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game on Tuesday, May 26.

(Jared Greenleaf/Cheboygan Daily Tribune)

CHEBOYGAN — One down. Two to go.

The Cheboygan softball team was all business in their postseason opener on Tuesday, May 26, as the Chiefs rolled to a 16-2 victory over Harbor Springs in a Division 3 pre-district clash at Cheboygan.

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Following Cheboygan’s strong performance, here’s some takeaways from Tuesday’s game.

Starting fast

It didn’t take long for the Chiefs (24-9) to build a sizable lead, as they manufactured four runs in the top of the first inning, then added seven more in the top of the third. From there, they were in cruise control and booked their ticket to a 10 a.m. district semifinal showdown at Boyne City on Saturday, May 30.

Cheboygan junior Nataleigh Blaisdell (left) and sophomore Lydia Kosanke (00) high-five each other following a run scored by Blaisdell in the first inning of an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game against Harbor Springs in Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

Cheboygan junior Nataleigh Blaisdell (left) and sophomore Lydia Kosanke (00) high-five each other following a run scored by Blaisdell in the first inning of an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game against Harbor Springs in Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

“We wanted to set the tone right away and get (Harbor Springs) in a hole,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde said. “They were trying to do everything they could, switching pitchers back and forth, but the girls adjusted to that and hit the ball well.”

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Cheboygan’s top hitters were solid again, led by sophomore Diem Schley, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while senior Tessa Lake finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, sophomore Lydia Kosanke was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, senior Presley Chamberlain went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, and junior Aubrey Mastin recorded two hits. Nataleigh Blaisdell (double, three RBIs, two runs), Jenna Dodder (double, RBI), Teagan Wheelock and Addison Ptasnik each chipped in with a hit.

Kosanke was Cheboygan’s winning pitcher, striking out six and scattering four hits in five innings.

Bush and the Ramblers up next

With their victory, the Chiefs still have a chance to end a long district title drought.

Cheboygan sophomore shortstop Diem Schley (left) tags out a Harbor Springs player during an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game at Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

Cheboygan sophomore shortstop Diem Schley (left) tags out a Harbor Springs player during an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game at Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

However, they’ll have to take down an opponent in Boyne City that swept the Chiefs in Cheboygan in Northern Shores Conference play earlier this month. In the game one win over Cheboygan, Boyne City junior Sydney Bush kept Cheboygan’s high-powered offense off-balance by tossing a shutout.

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But as the Chiefs look for revenge and a spot in the final, they feel good about their chances.

“I think it’s about practicing on getting to that (Bush’s) riseball,” Cheboygan senior Presley Chamberlain said. “She’s got a good riseball, and we’ve got to lay off it or learn to get on top of it, but she’s got good speed. Towards the end, we started hitting her better, but it’s about keeping that mindset. Those rise-balls, they get all of us a lot, so it’s about being smart at the plate and getting a good pitch selection.”

Cheboygan senior Presley Chamberlain fields a ball at second base during an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game against Harbor Springs in Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

Cheboygan senior Presley Chamberlain fields a ball at second base during an MHSAA Division 3 pre-district softball game against Harbor Springs in Cheboygan on Tuesday, May 26.

The matchup will be an epic showdown between a pair of conference rivals, but LaLonde reiterated his belief that his team can take down the Ramblers.

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“The confidence is right up there,” LaLonde said. “They know they’ve got a chance to win a district title.”

This Saturday’s Cheboygan-Boyne City winner meets the Elk Rapids-Charlevoix winner in the district final later in the afternoon.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan softball opens big lead, beats Harbor Springs in districts

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