Game Report: Milan vs. Hauser Softball 05/25

The script was there. The similarities were stark. It was the underdog Milan Indians trying to knock of the favored Hauser Jets in the championship game of class 2A sectional 45 in Brownstown Thursday night.

The comparisons are easy to make if you are a fan of the movie “Hoosiers,” which was based on Milan’s miracle state basketball championship victory over powerhouse Muncie Central in 1954. Unfortunately for the Indians, however, this real-life drama did not have the happy ending like the movie. There would be no upset tonight, as the Jets defeated Milan 10-9 to claim their third straight sectional title, their first in 2A.

After defeating Milan by a score of 15-2 during the regular season, the Jets came into the game confident that they would once again be hoisting the trophy after the game. But, they almost came in too confident.

“We were asleep at the wheel at the beginning of the game tonight,” said Hauser coach Andy Brunner as his team celebrated behind him after the game. “Milan was a completely different team tonight. They did not throw their number one pitcher against us the first time we played. That was a good strategy. Hats off to them. We got our eyes opened tonight and were given some good reminders of what we need to do to win games.”

The difference tonight was Milan’s ability to hit Jets’ pitcher Paige McDaniel. During the first meeting with the Indians, McDaniel did not allow a baserunner through four perfect innings. This game was a different story.

“I was not as sharp tonight,” said McDaniel. “I’m a little fatigued after pitching the previous two games, and they were able put the bat on the ball tonight.”

Milan put their first run on the board in the second inning when Chloe Hunter singled and was brought around to score on a Trynity Reed double to take a 1-0 lead.

The Jets quickly answered in their half of the second, however. Kyra Meister led off the inning with a single. That was followed by McDaniel single and a Maley Jordan double. Following another single by Haylin Campbell, the scoreboard suddenly read 3-1 Hauser.

Milan was not fazed by the Jets’ three-run barrage though. The Indians answered right back with two runs of their own in the third and the game was tied at three. The score remained this way until the top of the fifth when the Indians scratched out another run. Karsyn Bode led off the inning with a triple and was brought home on a bunt single by Kynadee Bode to give the Indians the lead, 4-3.

Suddenly the visions of the famous movie started to creep in. Was it possible that this was going to be another Hoosiers moment? After not scoring in its half of the fifth inning, Hauser was down to its final six outs and trailing to the same team it had pummeled less than a month ago.

McDaniel held the Indians scoreless in their half of the sixth, so the Jets still trailed by a run heading into the bottom of the inning. McDaniel led off the inning with a single. This was followed by another Jordan hit to put runners on second and third with no outs. Reagan Johnson then stepped up to the plate and crushed a ball over the right-centerfield fence, and just like that, Hauser was once again leading, 6-4. And a collective sigh could be heard throughout the Hauser side of the bleachers.

But if the Jets thought that Milan was going to fold, they were mistaken. The real fireworks started in the seventh. The Indians came out of the dugout swinging. Nevaeh Carpenter led off with a single. Bode came to the plate next and smacked a sharp grounder that McDaniel snagged for what looked like a tailor-made double play. But her throw was offline and flew into centerfield allowing both Indian runners to be safe. The momentum that was once Hauser’s, quickly shifted to Milan’s dugout.

Five of the next six Milan hitters reached based, via three singles, a double, and a walk, and the damage was done. The Indians had scored five runs and grabbed a 9-6 lead before a phenomenal play by Jets’ shortstop Hannah Taylor prevented more damage. Hauser had three outs left to save its season and not allow another “Milan Miracle” to occur.

Taylor led off the inning for the Jets doing what she does, which is coming through in the clutch. She hit a slow roller to first but beat the throw with a head-first dive to reach safely. Meister followed with another single, and Hauser had something brewing. McDaniel once again helped herself, this time with a double, knocking in Taylor and Meister, and suddenly, Hauser was within one run with nobody out.

Jordan then stepped up and delivered her third hit of the night, moving McDaniel to third. Following a pop out to short, Kylie Mack stepped up to the plate and hit a bullet to the shortstop. Although she was thrown out at first, this allowed McDaniel to score the tying run and Jordan to move to third with the winning run.

It was then Haylin Campbell’s turn. After taking a couple of close pitches, she got one she liked and lined it into left field, scoring Jordan with the winning run, and the comeback was complete. There would be no upset on this night. Hauser had scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to claim the championship.

Brunner reflected on the wild finish after the game. “We came out flat. Last night was an emotional game, and we looked tired tonight. But this group of girls battled. I couldn’t ask for a better group.”

The victory moves Hauser onto the regional game, which it will host on Tuesday night.