Portage Lake opens state tournament with win
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SPARTA, Mich. -- The Portage Lake 11U girls softball All-Star Team won their first game 11-1 against Three Rivers. The game was 0-0 through four innings and 1-1 after five innings.
Portage Lake exploded for 10 runs in the top of the sixth inning to secure the victory.
Manager Phil Pietila liked his team's effort and credited strong defense and timely bunting as the difference in the game.
"I felt that if we stayed the course and stuck to our game plan we would be fine," he said. "Three Rivers was a good team and the game could have went either way until the final inning. I'm proud of the way the girls handled some adversity and rallied to win."
Allie Mettlach pitched six innings to get the win.
Up next
Portage Lake plays Georgetown Saturday at 1 p.m. which is a rematch of the state championship game from last season. Portage Lake plays Plymouth/Canton at 10 a.m. Sunday to round out pool play. The top four of 10 teams advance to the semifinals on Monday.