Matthew Lounsberry mlounsberry@hillsdale.net mlounsberryHDN

UNION CITY Jonesville softball is the champion of District 79 in Union City after wins over Homer and Bronson on Saturday.

The Lady Comets defeated Bronson 7-2 in the championship game to claim the title.

They never gave up. They came here today to play. I've been telling them all year long, we play Jonesville softball, said Jonesville coach Chelsea Wright.

I told them I didnt care what we did this season, [because] a new season starts at districts. They worked hard, they left it all on this field today.

Each team scored a run in the opening inning, before the Vikings took a 2-1 lead with a run in the second.

Jonesville struck for three runs in the top of the third, and three more in the fifth to pad their lead. The Comets stayed sharp defensively, holding Bronson scoreless through the remainder of the game.

Koryn Playford was in the pitching circle for the Comets, throwing a complete game while allowing six hits and a walk, allowing only one earned run.

Shes been working hard for me all season. Weve been working on hitting her locations, Wright said.

Thats our biggest thing. We cant be pitching them down the middle. She did a great job tonight working the batters and making them pop up.

At the plate, Playford went 4-for-4 with an RBI. Lauren Mains was 1-for-2 with two RBI, and Payton Back added an RBI.

To reach the championship, Jonesville first had to overcome a stiff test from rival Homer.

After taking a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning, the Comets exploded for eight runs in the top of the seventh and went on to win, 9-1.

Teya Nichols pitched a strong game for Jonesville, allowing a single earned run across six and two-thirds innings. The junior allowed three hits and five walks, but limited the damage with five strikeouts.

Teyas been hurt for the last part of our season. Shes gotten mad at me for not playing her, but I kept telling her I needed her for districts. I needed to have her 100 percent, not 80-90, I needed 100. She gave it all today for me, Wright said.

With Jonesville leading 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, one of the biggest moments of the game was provided by Comet junior Kelsey Magda.

With a Homer runner on base, a ball was hit to deep centerfield. Magda kept the game-tying run from scoring by making a spectacular catch in centerfield.

Kelsey always takes that first step in, but somehow she still manages to track it down, Wright said.

Shes been playing great for us all season in the field. I couldnt ask for anything better out of her right now.

In the top half of the seventh, the Comets loaded the bases for Back, who smacked a grand slam home run over the centerfield wall, sparking Jonesvilles eight-run inning.

Payton has been struggling at the plate, but when shes on, shes on, Wright said.

I just had that feeling that something was going to happen because she was struggling during the first couple at-bats today. So I knew she was going to get ahold of something.

Back led the offensive effort for Jonesville, going 2for-4 with four RBI. Playford was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Magda had a hit and two RBI.

Also for the Comets, Miranda Masarik had a hit and an RBI, while Samantha Dunn added two hits.

Jonesville now turns its attention to Regional 20 at Napoleon this upcoming Saturday. The Comets will square off with Saranac in the semifinals.

Weve just got to keep working hard, Wright said. Well leave it all on the field.

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Lady Comets top Bronson, win district - The Hillsdale Daily News