Huron County View

HISTORY MAKING HATCHETS

Bad Axe wins first district since 1999



Members of the Bad Axe softball team pose with the Division 3 district championship trophy. The Hatchets defeated Sandusky 19-6, to claim their first title since 1999. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

Members of the Bad Axe softball team pose with the Division 3 district championship trophy. The Hatchets defeated Sandusky 19-6, to claim their first title since 1999. (Photo by Paul P. Adams)

CASS CITY – Hollywood would probably throw out this script – it’s just too unbelievable.

There’s just no way that a team that hasn’t won a softball district championship since 1999 did so with a walk-off grand slam.

But it was reality for the Bad Axe softball team, as it did so to capture the Division 3 district championship in a 19-6 victory over Sandusky.

Needing just one run to end the game due to the 10-run deficit rule, sophomore Brooke Messing left no doubt about it.

She launched a shot over the left-center field fence, sending the Bad Axe team, coaches and fans, into a frenzy.

“It feels amazing, we all put in so much effort,” said Messing. “I just wanted to hit it to get somebody in, that’s all we really needed. But it turned to be so much more. It’s just so unreal.”

Added Bad Axe coach Greg Newland referring to the movie ‘The Natural’: “She finished the way they do it in the movies, that was a great way to end it. All that was missing was the lights exploding.”

Sydney Prill, who is one of three seniors on the team, is the unquestioned leader for the Hatchets.

She was the first to burst out of the dugout when the ball left Messing’s bat.

“Seeing a sophomore hit a walk-off grand slam, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Prill. “I have so much confidence in every girl on this team and she darn well got it done.”

The victory extends Bad Axe’s program record for wins in a season at 25.

The district is only the second ever for the team.

Newland began his tenure with Bad Axe softball in 2019, with a mission to change the culture around the program.

“I didn’t do this alone, there was a group of us,” he said. “We identified this group of girls. We started building these girls back when they were 10-years-old. We’ve been building for this day with this group. For it to come out like this is awesome.”

NIFTY NINE: Bad Axe didn’t show nerves to start the game, as the team exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the first inning, to lead 9-1.

The inning was highlighted by a three-run homer from Messing and a three-run triple from Amber Haldane.

“We wanted to start making their pitcher work,” Newland said.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: A nine-run first inning would be too much to come back from for most teams. But Sandusky started chipping away and got within 10-6 after the top of the fifth inning.

“Props to Sandusky, that’s a strong hitting team, they didn’t go away,” Newland said.

Bad Axe responded with five in the bottom of the fifth and four more in the sixth to end it.

TEARS OF JOY: Following the trophy presentation, Newland gathered his team on the infield. His voice cracked a few times as he talked to his players to tell them how proud he was of them.

Prill was unable to hold her tears back, as well.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” she said. “This team, they’re my family, they’re my best friends, they’re my everything.”

For years, Bad Axe has been a pair of easy wins for most teams on the schedule, but the 25 wins and district championship are validation that things are turning around.

“I have so much confidence in every girl on this team and (Brooke) darn well got it done,” Prill said. “With the team that we have, with the family that we have, we pushed through. We proved everyone wrong and that feels so darn good.”

YOUTH MOVEMENT: Newland has reason to believe this is only the beginning of the turnaround for the Hatchets.

Most of the roster is set to return, as it features just three seniors with Prill, Lexi Booms and Destiny Booms.

The rest is mainly comprised of sophomores.

“With our sophomores, I can’t wait for the future,” Messing said. “We’ve really came in and put in a good effort. With the help of the seniors and juniors, we got it done. I’m so excited to see what we can accomplish next year.”

Added Newland: “Most of our roster is made up of sophomores. If you would have told me the first day of practice, that with half a team of sophomores, we could do this, I would have had my doubts.”

POWER SURGE: To go with Messing’s two home runs and seven RBI, both of which tied Hatchet records, Prill slugged two solo homers and Haley Newland also had a solo blast.

“We have a lot of power hitters here,” Newland said. “It’s the first game we’ve had them all going like that – it was just awesome to see.”

ROCK SOLID: Prill is the most vocal of the Hatchet players and as the catcher, she has a lot of responsibilities.

As the cleanup hitter, she has a .400 average, to go with four homers and 40 RBI.

“It’s not just me, it’s my parents never missing a single game, my dad taking me to the hitting cage, my coaches always working with me,” she said. “It’s the best feeling in the world and I don’t want it to be over for sure.”

Added Newland: “We come to expect that out of Sydney. We have high expectations out of her, but she handles it well. She does a great job with our pitching staff. I’m so happy for her and our seniors.”

RECORD SETTING SEASON: Along with the wins for the program, several season and game records have been set this season for Bad Axe.

None more than by Haley Newland.

As a hitter, she has new Hatchet season marks for plate appearances (148), Hits (62), singles (38), doubles (19), RBI (42), average (.481).

As a pitcher, strikeouts (133), shutouts (6), strikeouts in a game (12) and is two innings shy for most pitched (138).

“Putting the coach hat aside and just being a dad, she’s spent many years for this moment,” Newland said. “I’m so happy for her too.”

Other records include Messing’s seven homers, as well as Lexi Booms for runs scored (53) and stolen bases (42).

UP NEXT: Bad Axe (25-14) will take on No. 1 Millington (32-1) at 10 a.m., Saturday, in the regional semifinal, hosted by Millington.