The Notre Dame Varsity Softball team won its 15th MHSAA District title and first since 2016, defeating Marian 12-4 in the district semifinal and then Detroit Country Day in the district final 7-6 in nine innings.
In the championship game, the Irish pushed across four unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning. Lauren Koenig got things started with a two-out double. Elena Schwegman and Meaghan Orlowski each reached base on errors and Ella Easterwood and Sydney Newby followed with RBI singles. The final run of the inning scored as Erika Gordy reached base on an infield error. The Irish added two more in the second when Jordan Smith doubled, and scored on another hit by Koenig. Orlowski drove in Koenig and the Irish led 6-0.
The Yellowjackets responded in the top of the third with a pair of runs. Gabrielle Maday led things off with a single, went to second on an intentional walk to Jessica Garmen and both runners scored on a double. Country Day drew closer in the fourth on a three-run blast by Garmen and would tie the game in the sixth on a wild pitch.
Both teams threatened but did not score until the bottom of the ninth. Senior Kara Thornton had a one-out single, Koenig followed with her fourth hit of the day and Schwegman followed with a game winning base hit to center field to give Notre Dame the win. Koenig and Smith combined for the Irish win on the mound, giving up six earned runs on eight hits.
Notre Dame now advances to the MHSAA Regional round of play where they will take on North Branch.