Regional Championship Recap
The spring sports season in Hillsdale County wrapped up this weekend with regional championship games that highlighted both triumph and transition for local programs.
Jonesville’s baseball squad, despite entering the Division 3 regional final unranked, fell 4‑2 to top‑seeded Detroit Edison. Freshman pitcher Connor Chenevare threw all seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five, but the team could not overcome the early deficit. The loss capped a 18‑15 campaign that included a district championship, and it will be remembered for the resilience shown by a young roster.
Head coach Brian Stroble praised the team’s perseverance, noting that the seniors — Marshall Baker, Ian Doyle, Lucas Kyser, Talon Titus, Devan Herendeen and Carsen Cornila — will graduate and move on to an all‑star game scheduled for June 22 at Hillsdale College. Their departure leaves a void, but the underclassmen, led by Chenevare, are expected to build on the district title.
On the softball side, Reading captured its fifth straight district championship, only to see its season end in the regional semifinals with a 12‑0 loss to Summerfield. Junior ace Leah Headley recorded 144 strikeouts and nine wins, while Mckenzey Penza contributed a .300 average, three home runs and 20 RBIs. Summerfield, fresh off a 7‑6 victory over Jackson Lumen Christi in the state quarterfinals, will now face Mendon in the upcoming quarterfinal matchup.
The county’s athletic director highlighted the continuity of talent, noting that Reading’s entire roster will return next season, while Jonesville’s seniors are slated to compete in the all‑star contest. Both programs look to carry their momentum into the next year as the community celebrates another successful spring.