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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Flyers fall in opening round

Team finishes year with 14-16 overall record

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: June 7, 2007

There is not much a team can do when an opposing pitcher is on top of her game. And when she is perfect, it makes your chances for success that much more difficult.

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Willow Run varsity softball learned just that in an 11-0 five-inning loss to Tecumseh in the opening round of MHSAA district play on June 1. Whitney Hastings threw a perfect game on the mound for Tecumseh, which ended up winning the district.

Sophomore starter Miranda Fleming pitched well on the mound for the Flyers. Her coach, Duane Edwards, said she gave up three triples and two line drives, but the rest were "seeing eye blooper hits."

At the plate, Shelby Johnson came close to ending Hastings' perfect game, but her line drive to shortstop was caught.

Willow Run finished with a 14-16 overall record.

"I've got a good nucleus coming back," said Edwards. "I lost seven seniors but I've got five starters coming back."

Junior Kala Kelly and sophomore Charlise Randall will be starters next year. Both played junior varsity for a majority of the season, but were called up to play on the varsity level late in the season.

Although they were not on the roster for districts, they impressed Edwards in limited action. Randall, who Edwards said is very aggressive with the bat and runs well, smacked a double on the first pitch she saw this season. Kelly earned her first varsity hit in a game against Highland Park.

They'll join a cast of sophomores who improved this season in hits, RBIs and averages. Edwards handed out team awards recently and honored Fleming, Johnson, Josie Blackburn and Tiffany Duperon as MVPs.

Duperon and Johnson, who both hit above .400, were all-conference in the Mega Blue. Fleming hit close to .300 and Tiffany Preiss hit 70 percentage points higher in batting average.

That along with more kids entering the system with summer ball experience will help Willow Run next season.

Fleming fininshes season strong

Warning for Michigan varsity softball coaches: Don't be fooled by the 11-12 record for Willow Run softball pitcher Miranda Fleming. - it's misleading.

The Flyers' sophomore had an excellent week, during the team's final games in May, on the mound, again, and has now racked up 147 strikeouts in 146 innings.

"I think she's pitched just as good as anybody around right now," said Flyers' coach Duane Edwards. "I mean there's games the ball doesn't go in the air. As far as a fly ball, there are a lot of games they don't even get a fly ball out of her."

Maybe a single through the hole at third base and shortstop, but not much else, if anything.

Willow Run recently defeated Crestwood, 13-7, thanks to a nine-run first inning that was the start of an 11-hit day. Josie Blackburn led the way and went 3-for-5 with one double and 4 RBIs. Tiffany Duperon was 2-for-3 with one double and 3 RBIs. Tiffany Preiss had two singles and Amanda Seidl two hits.

As for Fleming, she fanned 12 Crestwood batters and gave up just three earned runs.

"She pitched very well," Edwards said. "One inning they hit the ball."

They dropped a game against Melvindale, 7-1, the in large part because of six errors in the field. Fleming gave up just two earned runs.

Edwards, however, said Melvindale is going to be tough to beat when the MHSAA districts begin. So will state-ranked Tecumseh, a team that the Flyers will play in their district opener.

But with Fleming on the mound, and Shelby Johnson catching behind the plate, Edwards believes the Flyers can give Tecumseh a battle.

Edwards said Johnson has been "rock solid behind the plate." She threw out two runners in both games this week and has now caught 19 runners stealing this season. Against Melvindale, she also had a hit and three walks.

And then there is Fleming.

"People look at her record and they think, 'oh she's all right,'" Edwards said. "They've got to see her pitch. Her record does not show how good she's pitched this year."

"This team here I've got is a very good team. We can give Tecumseh a run for their money if we bring our 'A' game."