By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
BATTLE CREEK -- Freeland sophomore pitcher Stacy Delaney does not look dominant.
Her speed is good, but not overwhelming.
The right-hander, however, completely shut down Brandywine's offense in Saturday's Division 3 State Championship game at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.
Delaney tossed a no-hitter with no walks and struck out 17-of-22 batters as the Falcons earned a 1-0 shutout.
So, what was it about Delaney that made Brandywine, a squad that batted .312 throughout the season, miss so many pitches?
Nakisha Washington, the Bobcats' top offensive threat, struck out three times Saturday.
Brandywine, which finished the season with a record of 37-6, didn't even put the ball in play until the third inning. Three innings later was when the Bobcats finally put a runner on base. That runner was stranded, however, as Delaney retired the next batter to end the inning.
Freeland's one run came in the fifth inning. Erica O'Neil led off with a single to short left field. She then moved to second on a pitch that got away from Brandywine catcher Michelle Shoemaker.
Delaney then hit a ground ball between first and second. Brandywine second baseman Lauren Heyn slipped and mishandled the ball, allowing O'Neil to score.
Brandywine junior pitcher Nicki McGowen had a strong outing of her own. She gave up just two hits, struck out seven and walked none. She finished with a record of 35-5.
Freeland………1
Brandywine….0
Freeland 000 010 0--1 2 0
Brandywine 000 000 0--0 0 3
Stacy Delaney (W, 28-1) and Sarah Glowicki; Nicki McGowen (L, 35-5) and Michelle Shoemaker.
Team records: Freeland 32-3, Brandywine 37-6