Boyne City Softball Secures Historic D3 Regional Championship Against Gladstone

CHEBOYGAN — The Boyne City softball team made history on Saturday, clinching their inaugural Division 3 regional championship after a hard-fought battle that spanned two games and 12 innings at a tournament held in Cheboygan. This victory marks a significant achievement that has been years in the making.

Under the guidance of head coach Josh Bush, who has nurtured many of the current players since their early days in t-ball, the team has steadily developed its skills and resilience. Saturday's triumph over Gladstone, with a final score of 5-4, is a culmination of years of effort, including past encounters where Boyne came close but ultimately fell short. “This is my team,” Bush expressed. “I’ve really been looking forward to it. They’re young, but they’re not inexperienced.”

Boyne City showcased their prowess earlier in the day with a commanding 14-0 mercy-rule victory against Calumet in the regional semifinal. However, the real challenge awaited them in the final against Gladstone, a team that had historically dominated their matchups, eliminating Boyne in seven out of their last nine regional encounters since 2013. Bush made sure his players were aware of this history, fostering a mindset ready to confront their rivals. “They were ready and I think this is the first time that Boyne’s beat Gladstone,” he noted.

Players like Sadie Bush played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing four hits and three RBIs, while also excelling defensively by guiding her sister, Sidney, in the pitching circle. Sidney Bush delivered a stellar performance, striking out nine batters in both games and allowing only three hits in the opener. “It’s just like practice,” Sadie said, highlighting their chemistry on the field.

With a total of 21 hits across both matches and contributions from several players, the Ramblers displayed a blend of youthful talent and experienced leadership. The team now faces a formidable opponent in the Division 3 quarterfinals, with a rematch against a perfect 40-0 Evart team scheduled for June 9. As they prepare, Sadie emphasized the importance of teamwork and trust: “I think just trust in each other and trust that if one of us messes up, we’ll have each other’s backs.”