The top-seeded Cardinals took on second place and rival Reed City at home on Monday, in which Big Rapids won game one 9-0 behind three hits and four RBIs from senior Marissa Warren. The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the first, slowly tacked on runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, and added a three-run home run from Warren in the sixth to seal the deal. Jaelynn Schuberg added a triple and a single along with Pharis Carroll notching two singles. Cailin Knoop went seven innings for Big Rapids in the circle, striking out 13 batters and only giving up three hits.
Isabell Guy started for Reed City, giving up 10 hits and nine runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. She was relieved by Morgan Hammond for the final two outs. Kaylin Goodman, Paityn Enos, and Morgan Hammond each combined for Reed City’s three hits on the night.
"I was very impressed with our focus and intensity the moment we stepped on the field,” Head coach Dawn Thompson said. &ldquo