By Staff
For all the hype surrounding three baseball teams in the Lakeland Conference this season, it was one of the unmentionables who really showed up to play come state tournament time last weekend.
River Valley, Edwardsburg and Coloma shared most of the attention of Lakeland baseball fans this season, and rightfully so because each posted outstanding regular-season records and battled for the league title.
In the end, those three stood out among the rest as River Valley and Coloma tied for the team title with 12-2 records and Edwardsburg came in third with a record of 11-3. The fourth-place teams managed less-than-impressive records of 7-7.
Something changed, however, when the state tournament started last week Something nobody would have expected, except the players on a lesser-known team.
The Brandywine varsity baseball team showed up with its traditional tournament toughness on Saturday at Buchanan High School and sent the rest of the district tournament field home for the season.
You see, the Bobcats haven't been the most successful team in the Lakeland Conference for some time, but they won their second district title in the last three years and, this year, beat one of the best teams in the state--by 10 runs in six innings no less.
The Bobcats know how to win in the state tournament, as evidenced by the baseball team's recent runs, the wrestling team's string of district titles and the basketball team's unexpected appearance in the district title game this past year.
Speaking of tournament toughness, the Brandywine softball team is poised for yet another run through the state tournament. The Lady Bobcats always seem to start playing their best when the state tournament rolls around.
Brandywine's girls are always a treat to watch during this time of the season because they have such a business-like approach to the game they're playing in. If they happen to gain a big lead on a team, then they will sometimes relax a little bit, but for the most part they show marked determination during the state tournament.
Both teams will have to face tough challenges this weekend at the regional tournaments at Hartford High School. Both have a chance to come out with another trophy and both have the opportunity to show whey they have been so good in state tournaments.
Brandywine's tournament toughness is sure to come through Saturday, win or lose, because that's just the way these kids play the game.
Good luck Bobcats!