The second annual Leelanau Classic softball tournament was Glen Lake’s for the taking. And take it they did.

The undefeated Lakers ripped through competition Saturday, defeating Northwest Conference rival Suttons Bay 17-0 in the championship game. Glen Lake advanced to the final after defeating a determined St. Mary team, 11-3. Suttons Bay made it to the championship after defeating Leland in the first game of the day, 10-5.

“We had good performances from everyone today, all day. We’re an experienced team that plays all six innings,” said Laker coach Gary Galla.

Senior Danielle Noonon and junior Cori Kahler combined to no-hit Suttons Bay.

For Glen Lake, Shannon Galla and Kristen Pleva both had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. Hannah Therrien, Katie Drzewiecki and Erika Easter each had 2 hits, and Easter, Sabrina Galla and Lauryn Pleva all knocked in two runs.

First-year varsity coach Jen Kloosterman for Suttons Bay said her young team is learning, and will make mistakes along the way.

“It wasn’t as bad as the score made it out to be. We had many errors, and those errors cost us a bunch of runs. We couldn’t put the bat on the ball,” Kloosterman said.

Christa Nesky and Laureen Schmidt both provided pitching duty for the Norsemen.

The day started well for Glen Lake with the win over St. Mary. Noonan was the winning pitcher, with Kahler helping in relief. The Lakers jumped on top of the Eagles with seven runs in the first inning. Shannon Galla had 3 hits and stole 2 bases; Sabrina Galla had 3 hits, 2 RBI and scored 2 runs; Lauryn Pleva had 2 hits and 2 stolen bases; and Kaleigh Blackburn scored 2 runs.

For St. Mary, pitcher Susan Herman had 9 strikeouts, issued 1 walk and allowed 11 hits. Emily Schaub had a double for the Eagles; Herman had a double and a single.

In the first game, Suttons Bay used good pitching and offense to defeat Leland. Laureen Schmidt was the winning pitcher for the Norse, and she helped her own cause at home plate with a triple, single and 2 RBI. Christa Nesky had 2 singles, 2 RBI; and Biri Luna and Katie Joupperi each hit a single with Luna getting a RBI.

For Leland, Dena Popp took the loss on the mound. She had a triple and scored 2 runs for the Comets.
In the consolation game, the Eagles defeated the Comets, 7-2. Herman was the winning pitcher for St. Mary with 6 strikeouts, 1 walk and 5 hits allowed, all singles. At the plate, Allison Korson had a triple, and Herman and Sarah Schaub each had a single.

Haley VerSnyder was the losing pitcher. Danielle Seitter had 2 singles and 2 RBI, and Cassie Duperon had 2 singles.

Earning All Tournament Team honors were Sabrina, Shannon Galla (co-most valuable player) Kristen Pleva, Danielle Noonan and Cori Kahler from Glen Lake; Christa Nesky and Laureen Schmidt from Suttons Bay; Alison Korson and Susan Herman from St. Mary; and Cassie Duperon from Leland.