SHELBY — Holland Springfield coach Rob Gwozdz was the first to remind Madison coach Tim Niswander how good the Rams are following a heartbreaking loss Friday.
After leading 5-0 through six and a half innings, Madison (21-7) gave up a walk-off grand slam to Springfield’s Hannah Schlachter with no one out in the bottom of the seventh. The 6-5 loss ended the Rams’ season as regional runners-up in Division III.
Niswander said Gwozdz had tears in his eyes as the teams met to shake hands.
“He said, ‘You deserve to win that game. I’m sorry. You’ll be back because that kid in the circle is unbelievable,'” Niswander said. “I’m glad he said that because I had nothing.”
Gwozdz was referring to Madison’s freshman standout Caliyah Clapper — who struck out 11 batters and walked five Friday. Clapper also connected for two hits, scored two runs and knocked in one runner in four at-bats.
Niswander said the biggest takeaway from Friday’s final was that his team was in complete control for six innings.
“That’s how close we were and we’ve been this close before,” he said. “But before, we didn’t have the core of kids coming back that we do now.
“Everything that we do now has got to be to put in to getting us over the hump.”
Rams’ bond grew tighter this season
Niswander said earlier this season the Rams were struggling with chemistry.
After multiple talks and a team-bonding night, the light turned on, he said.
“At that point, they started to love each other instead of tolerating each other and that makes a big difference,” Niswander said. “I don’t think people understand how much chemistry matters, but it really does.”
This year’s squad included three seniors, Emma Stankovich, Addy Farris and Kayla Lewis. The trio will graduate Sunday.
Lewis played junior varsity for three years before getting her shot on varsity. Niswander said she defines what it means to be a “program kid.” He said Farris has been extremely coachable and came a long way at the plate and in the outfield.
Niswander said Stankovich has done everything the right way during her career.
“Whether it’s softball, school, home (or) work, she does everything the right way,” he said.
“Those are the kids that you want your daughter to be like and Emma Stankovich is that.”
Scoring recap and stats
Madison opened Friday’s game scoring two runs in the first inning. A double from Stankovich drove in both runs.
The Rams added three more runs in the top of the third. A single from Clapper brought in a run and a home run to center field from Campbell Kiser scored two.
Six Rams recorded at least a hit Friday, including Kiser, Stankovich, Clapper, Izzy Wamsley, Lexi Lewis and Libby Bekeleski. Kiser and Stankovich each drove in two runs and Clapper brought in one.
Wamsley, Lewis, Clapper and Kiser combined to score Madison’s five runs.
(Below are photos from Friday’s Division III regional final between Madison and Springfield at Shelby High School. Credit: Hayden Gray)
(Photos below were taken by Richland Source intern Malaki Stanfield)
