Manistee pitcher named D3 honorable mention

Julia Maksym was selected as a Division 3 All-State honorable mention by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association. She went 30-5 with a 0.68 ERA and 350 strikeouts. Offensively, she also hit .455 with 10 doubles and a triple.

“They look at her numbers and they also look at her academics,” said her dad and Manistee coach, Paul Maksym. “Academically, she’s got a 3.7 grade point average. They look at the whole player concept. Numbers help, but you want to be well rounded, too.” 

The competition for the All-State team was stiff. She was in a tough class where a lot of the pitchers went on to win the semifinals and finals and were the All-State girls. Maksym worked hard these last four years and she was recognized for her hard work.

“If I didn’t have the team I did that backed me up, I don’t think I would have gotten this,” she said. “I never expected our team to be 30-5.”

With one season left in high school, Julia is hoping to reach a number of milestones. She was three wins and 10 strikeouts shy of the minimums for being placed in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s single-season record books. Oh, and the Chippewas had eight games rained out this season. While Julia would like to reach those lofty numbers, and also has 1,000 career strikeouts in her sights next season, she’s more focused on team goals; winning regionals next year.

The players’ hard work throughout the year paid off winning this District Title.  As a team they are playing well together and if they continue to perform to their potential, their enthusiasm and momentum will be a factor at the Regional games. 

 In the opener against Mason County Central, Manistee turned eight hits into seven runs and took a first-inning lead it never relinquished. “It broke the ice,” Paul Maksym said. “It was nice to get that first run in.” Becca Brown led the way at the plate for the Chippewas with two hits and an RBI, Katye Melchert had a triple, while Julia Maksym, Taylor Ozimac, Rhiannon Robke, Maeve Lagerquist, Heather Hansen and Hannah Sartor each picked up a hit. Manistee took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Alyssa Tarnowski before play was halted due to thunder and lightning in the distance.

After a 30-minute delay, the Chippewas went ahead by three as Kristen Merkey drove in a run. Brown added an RBI single in the sixth and Ozimac drove in two later in the inning. Julia Maksym allowed just three hits and two walks to go with 11 strikeouts.

In the district championship against Shelby, the Chippewa offense came through with 14 hits. Ozimac led the way with three hits, including a double and an RBI. Brown went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs, Merkey went 2-4, while Julia Maksym, Robke, Lagerquist, Melchert and Alexa Schneider each had a hit. Manistee jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Merkey doubled, Brown drove her in with an RBI single and Lagerquist hit an RBI double. Shelby scored a run in the bottom of the first before Manistee added three more in the second with a two-run double by Ozimac for the 6-1 lead.

“Those six runs in the first two innings were big,” Paul Maksym said. “The girls hit the ball well that game.” Manistee closed the scoring with an RBI single from Tarnowski in the third inning. Julia Maksym allowed five hits and recorded 10 strikeouts.

The Manistee High School softball team had its 21-game winning streak snapped Saturday by Elk Rapids. The Chippewas dropped their opener to the Elks, 3-1, before besting Benzie Central in the tournament consolation game, 8-0. Some errors and untimely hitting contributed to the loss. All three of the Elks runs were unearned as they won after the game went into eight innings. “We didn’t play bad,” Paul Maksym said. “We just made more mistakes than they did.” Julia Maksym threw a five-hitter with 9 strikeouts.  Kristen Merkey went 1 for 4 with 2 stolen bases, Julia Maksym went 1 for 4, Taylor Ozimac went 1 for 3, Katye Melchert went 1 for 2, Maeve Lagerquist went 1 for 3 and Alyssa Tarnowski went 1 for 3 with the only RBI.   

In the consolation game, the Chippewas dominated Benzie as Julia Maksym allowed just one hit to go with 10 strikeouts while Manistee pounded out 11 hits. Kristen Merkey went 2 for 4 with 4 stolen bases, Becca Brown went 3 for 4 with a double, Julia Maksym went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI’s, Taylor Ozimac went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI, Katye Melchert had a sacrifice with an RBI and Krista Cabot went 2 for 3 with a double and 4 RBI’s.  Coach Maksym was able to get all players in the game including Alexa Schneider taking over as catcher for veteran Taylor Ozimac. "She did a fantastic job" according to Maksym. He was pleased overall with the way his team performed defensively and was able to hit the ball in this game.

The Chippewas dominated in all phases of the game in Big Rapids winning all 3 games to win the tournament. It was a total team effort in hitting, running bases, and defensive plays along with some outstanding pitching by Julia Maksym.

In game one (10-0) against Big Rapids Maksym threw a 4-hitter with 7 strikouts. Becca Brown went 2-3, Maksym went 2-4 with an RBI, Taylor Ozimac went 1-3 with 2 RBIs, Rhiannon Robke went 2-3 with 2 RBIs, Katye Melchert had an RBI and Alyssa Tarnowski went 1-2. 

Game two (11-1) Maksym allowed one earned run on 1 hit while striking out 13 batters. Kristen Merkey went 2-4 with an RBI, Brown went 2-4 with a triple and 2 RBIs, Maksym went 1-2, Robke went 1-4 with an RBI, Melchert drew 3 walks and Tarnowski went 1-3 with a triple and 2 RBIs.

Game three (4-1) against Cadillac was a big boost for the Lady Chips. Even though they didn't get many hits in the game, the ones that they came up with were at opportune times. The Manistee defense turned 3 double plays during the game. Melchert, Tarnowski and Alexa Schneider were credited for some outstanding plays. Coach Maksym said those plays were awesome and were at key times. Julia Maksym was solid in the circle striking out 10 batters and allowing just 5 hits. Merkey went 1-4, Brown went 2-3 with a double and an RBI, Maksym went 2-4 with 2 RBIs, Ozimac went 1-4, Robke went 1-4 and an RBI, and Melchert went 1-4.

These two outstanding games turned out to be a pitching duel and the Manistee Varsity Girls Softball team took advantage of some key bunting along with key hits to score enough runs and hold onto the win.  The team performed exceptionally well in bunting, defense, base running and providing some key hits. Overall they look like a team ready for the Districts.  Coach Maksym said he is proud of his team and couldn't ask for anything else.     

In game one Manistee beat the Huskies 3-0. Julia Maksym threw a one-hitter with 17 strikeouts (personal best), while Ozimac did outstanding behind the plate for her.  Maksym went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI, Katye Melchert went 2 for 3, Alexa Schneider went 1 for 2 and Alyssa Tarnowski went 1 for 2.       

The score in the second game was close as well with the Chips winning 2-0. Maksym threw a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts. Rhianon Robke went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI, Becca Brown went 1 for 3, and Alexa Schneider went 1 for 2.  

MHS softball team excelled in all aspects of the games against Hart. The team took advantage of walks, errors, and some timely hitting with aggressive base running to produce runs when needed. They were able to substitute players to other key defensive positions, thus ensuring some flexibility on defense.

The Manistee Varsity girls seem to be peaking at the right moment.  The team took advantage of walks, errors and some timely hitting with aggressive base running to produce runs when needed. Julia Maksym pitched and Taylor Ozimac caught two outstanding games.  The team seems to have the momentum to perform well as we head into the last two weeks of our season.  

In game one Julia Maksym threw a one-hitter with 9 strikeouts during this mercy-ruled 5 inning game. Kristen Merkey went 3 for 4, Becca Brown went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s, Julia Maksym went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI, Taylor Ozimac went 1 for 2 with 1 RBI, Rhianon Robke went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI’s, Krista Cabot went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI’s and Katye Melchert went 1 for 2. 

In-between games Manistee recognized the three senior players, Katye Melchert, Becca Brown, and Taylor Ozimac, who will be dearly missed on the Chippewas team but were wished success and happiness in their futures.

The Chippewas ran their winning streak to 10 with 2 strong wins over Big Rapids. Some key bunts and aggressive base running attributed to the 5-1 and 15-2 victories for the Chips. Julia Maksym threw a 1-hitter with 16 strikeouts in the first game and went 3-3 with 2 doubles, a triple and an RBI. Maksym's change-up kept the Big Rapids hitters off balance to limit their runs to 1. Rhianon Robke went 3-4 with an RBI, Krista Cabot went 1-3 with 2 RBI's and Taylor Ozimac went 1 -3 with 1 RBI. "Julia did well, but I thought our defense did a good job behind her," Coach Maksym said of his team.

The second game Maksym threw another 1-hitter with 4 strikeouts, went 2-2 with 1 RBI, Krista Cabot went 2-2, Katye Melchert went 1-3 with 2 RBI's, Heather Hansen went 1-3 and Taylor Ozimac had an RBI. Coach Maksym knew the Cardinal's pitchers struggled a little bit, but he thought our girls did a good job of hitting.

The Chippewas went 4-0 capped by a perfect game by Julia Maksym to win a second straight Briggs True Value Hardware championship. Manistee opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over Mason County Eastern despite having just one hit in the game. It was a true pitcher's duel and the Chippewas took advantage of stolen bases and some wild pitches. Julia Maksym allowed just 2 hits and one unearned run while recording 13 strikeouts and went 1-2 at the plate for the Chippewas only hit.

Manistee won the second game against Ludington 6-1. Becca Brown started the game with a triple and finished 2-4. Alexa Schneider drove in a run while Maksym went 1-3. Maksym allowed one unearned run on 4 hits to go with 9 strikeouts.

Manistee edged Scottville in the third game, 6-4 while picking up 10 hits. The Chips stalled an early Spartan threat as Rhiannon Robke, Kristen Merkey and Maeve Lagerquist combined to turn a doubleplay. That was a key play and a defensive gem that pumped up the team. Lagerquist drove in a pair of runs with a triple. Taylor Ozimac's RBI double padded the lead and the team held on. Ozimac finished 3-3, Lagerquist went 2-3, Katye Melchert went 1-2 and drove in a run. Robke had a hit, an RBI and stole 2 bases, while Alyssa Tarnowski went 1-2. Maksym went 2-4 at the plate, allowed 5 hits and recorded 7 strikeouts.

The Chippewas sewed up back-to-back titles with a 9-0 win over Hart. Julia Maksym's performance on the mound was dominant as she picked up her first perfect game and recorded a career-high 16 strikeouts against the Pirates. Behind the plate for every pitch in all four of those games was Ozimac. "She's a warrior back there," Coach Maksym said. "She did an outstanding job. Her defense was a big part of us winning this tournament." At the plate Lagerquist, Brown, and Maksym all had a hit and drove in a run, Melchert had an RBI, while Robke and Merkey both went 1-3.

Julia Maksym threw a no-hitter in the first game and was just one walk off a perfect game in the 10-0 win. The Chippewas won the nightcap 8-4. In the first game Maksym recorded 10 strikeouts and 1 walk, and went 1-3 at the plate. Maeve Lagerquist was the big hitter leading the Chips at the plate with a 2-3 performance that included 4 RBIs. Katye Melchert and Rhiannon Robke both drove in a run and Alexa Schneider went 1-1.

Maksym had 9 strikeouts in the second game and allowed 2 earned runs on six hits and led the team with two doubles and drove in 2 runs. Kristen Merkey had 3 of the 8 stolen bases by the team and went 1-1, Robke had a hit and drove in a run, Becca Brown had an RBI, and Taylor Ozimac and Heather Hansen each had a hit. Ozimac's defensive plays resulted in throwing out 2 of the Panther runners while stealing.

Coach Maksym said the defense played excellent and the Lady Chips were very aggressive on the base paths. Great job girls!

The Chippewas won with a 1-0 win over Division 2 Grand Rapids West Catholic in the opener and an 11-2 win over Division 1 Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix in the nightcap of the Tri-County Moonlight Classic in Muskegon.

Coach Maksym said the girls looked good and they were excited about their wins.

The first game was a pitcher's duel but Manistee's Julia Maksym singled in the 4th inning and Taylor Ozimac drove her in with a double. That was the only run they needed to win the game. Julia pitched recording six strikeouts and allowing 5 hits but her defense was behind her to clinch the win. Way to go defense!

The second game Julia threw a one-hitter and recorded 11 strikeouts. Manistee was aggressive on the bases with 13 steals, while alot of our runs were off Kalamzoo's errors. Ozimac and Katye Melchert each had a hit and drove in a run, while Kristen Merkey and Maksym both had a hit.

The Chippewas won the first game 16-1 in a mercy rule and rallied from a 8-0 score for a 20-10 win. Coach Maksym knew the girls were up for this game and said they did well and were aggressive on the bases again. Becca Brown led the team with a 4-4 performance at the plate with 3 RBIs. Julia Maksym and Kristen Merkey each had 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Krista Cabot went 2-3, Megan Medacco and Katye Melchert each had a hit and drove in a run, Taylor Ozimac went 1-3 and Rhiannon Robke had an RBI. Julia's pitching allowed just 1 hit and had five strikeouts.

The second game Katye Melchert started the game pitching rendering 8 runs, 5 of them unearned due to errors. Maksym came in to relieve her and allowed 4 hits with 5 strikouts, while going 3-5 at the plate with 2 RBIs. Ozimac was 2-3 with a double and 2 RBIs, Medacco had 3 hits and drove in a run, Merkey and Cabot each drove in a run on 2 hits, Maeve Lagerquist had a hit and drove in a run while Melchert went 1-4. Coach was pleased with the team's offensive outburst hitting the ball.

MHS softball team breaks it's 4-game winning streak by losing to Cadillac despite the 7 hits and 9 walks in the first game, 13 runners were stranded on base. Julia Maksym took the loss on the mound only allowing 3 hits and 3 walks, she had 9 strikouts. Becca Brown led the Chippewas at the plate with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Taylor Ozimac went 2-3, Alexa Schneider went 2-4, and Kristen Merkey went 1-3.

In the second game Julia pitched and had 14 strikeouts while allowing 12 hits. She went 3-4 at the plate. Merkey, Brown, Ozimac, Schneider, Megan Madacco, Heather Hansen, and Krista Cabot each had a hit for the Chips.

The Chippewas won the first game 3-1 and the second game 5-3. Coach Maksym was pleased with the performance of the girls taking two wins from Kalkaska. He said that some of our girls are really stepping up and hitting the ball. That and their aggressive base running are key components to winning games. Pitcher Julia Maksym recored 24 strikeouts in the series, with 12 in each game. In the first game, Maksym, Becca Brown and Megan Medacco all drove in a run. In the second game, Brown's double drove in 2 RBI's and Krista Cabot had an RBI single.

Manistee won the opener in 4 innings, 17-0, and scored an 11-0 victory in the 2nd game. Combined games, the girls stole 30 bases. Coach Maksym was very pleased with the girls performance with some timely hits and aggressive base running. Pitcher Julia Maksym had 9 strikouts and allowed 2 hits the first game and had 8 strikeouts and allowed 2 hits the second game. Becca Brown was the Chippewas big hitter finishing the series 5-7 with 5 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

Brown went 2-3 with 3 RBIs, Kristin Merkey went 2-2 with 3 RBIs and 5 stolen bases and Taylor Ozimac went 1-1 with 3 stolen bases.

The second game besides Brown's 3-4, 2 RBIs and 4 stolen bases, Maksym went 3-3 and Ozimac had a double and 2 RBIs.  

Coach Maksym was happy to walk away with a game-one victory stating that it was a big win as Reed City was Regional Champs last year and they are going to be a tough team this year. The first game Julia Maksym struck out 12 batters and allowed just 4 hits. Manistee had 3 hits as Kristen Merkey went 2-3 and Taylor Ozimac had 1 for the Chippewas.

As Reed City turned 3 double plays in the second game and time went on, the Chippewas had the wind taken out of their sails.  With a few errors and the timely Coyote hitting, 8 runs were scored while the Chips remained scoreless. Maksym had 7 strikeouts in game 2 and managed one of the two hits by the team. Taylor Ozimac had the other hit for the Lady Chips.