The BHS Varsity Softball Team, like others throughout Michigan, had their spring 2020 season cancelled before it started.
As reigning District Champs returning eight seniors, there were high expectations for the team entering the spring. I’d like to recognize this team and especially the seniors, as they were a very special class, that unfortunately were not able to compete in their final season.
This group of seniors had various members that were either single-season or career Belleville High School record holders. Many were awarded various post season awards such as All-Region, All-District and All-League. All eight seniors played extensive travel ball from an early age through high school, which was a huge factor in their success.
In their first three years, they achieved an overall record of 57-40-1, including advancing to the Regional competition in 2019. Seven of the seniors were four-year varsity players. Five of the eight graduates have plans to continue to play softball in college, with two Division 1 and three Junior College commits.
Academic achievement was also very important for this talented team. The team had an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.43. As a result, the team was designated as Academic All State by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association (MHSSCA). In addition, three seniors (Madison Mikulski, Cassidy Brendtke, and Haley Bellingham) achieved individual Academic All-State Awards through the MHSSCA with GPAs of 3.8 or better.
Seven of these seniors were awarded the league (KLAA) scholar patch both their junior and senior years, which is awarded to those with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. More importantly all eight seniors are going on to further their studies in college.
This senior class has set the bar very high for future classes to follow, not only on the field but in classroom.
Congratulations to this group of girls who always competed at the highest level, all the while being great representatives of the softball team and Belleville High School. The sky is the limit for these girls and I sure am going to miss them!
Sean Bellingham
BHS Varsity Softball Head Coach
Belleville High School Softball Team: Rachelle Frederick – Henry Ford Community College*, Alexandrea Matheny – Henry Ford Community College*, Cassidy Brendtke – Western Michigan University*, Kailee Settles – Eastern Michigan University, Haley Bellingham – Eastern Michigan University, Drewnell Leamy, Kayla Hamilton, Madison Mikulski – University of Toledo*, Mikayla Demyan – Schoolcraft Community College*, Alyssa Engle, Brooklynn Jones, Kayla Haffner – Wayne State University.
(*designates those going on to play college softball)