The Bulldogs got the Win over Portland in the 10:00  a.m. game 4-3. The Raiders got on the board first when they scored 2 on a Homer by Townsend. In the 4th the Bulldogs pulled ahead when Mel Braman smacked one over the fence scoring Londyn Brown and Kaidence Thomas and then Raj Esquivel hit a solo dinger. The next 3 innings were crazy exciting nail bitters but, our defense held up behind Junior Kaidence Thomas. Kaidence went all 7 innings giving up 4 hits and striking out 4. Besides the Dingers by Braman and Esquivel we had hits by Brown, Thomas and Emma White.  The 2:00 game vs Lakewood turned into a slug fest with Lakewood crushing 6 Dingers and Ionia hitting 2. Mel Braman hit a solo in the first inning and in the 5th inning junior Kam Perry went yard for the first time knocking in 3 runs. I felt that we stayed scrappy as we took a 2-8 deficit into top of 5th where we were able to put 4 runs up, making it a 6-8 deficit, in the 6th Lakewood scored 2 more runs and again we battled in top of 7th scoring 2 more runs. We came up short lossing the District Championship game 8-10. Both of these games were great games and proud of the way my team represented Ionia. As we watched the Vikings get their medals and trophy and watched them celebrate I couldn't help but have tears coming down my cheeks as you think about everything that has happened since the season started back in March. More then Wins & Loses, we had lessons in growth, leadership, giving, caring for our community  and life long "buddies" I know my team knows that they can always count on me and I truly care about them. Always a Good Day to be a Bulldog!! 

Game one was a 9-4 Loss for Ionia, although I feel like we played a decent game and we were seeing the ball well just not coming through with a hit when we needed it as we stranded 8 base runners. Senior Mel Braman had a big game going 3 for 4, scoring a run and collecting one RBI. Senior Raj Esquivel went 2 for 2 with a run & an RBI. Senior Chloe Witter smacked a deep double and getting 2 RBI's.  Junior Kaidence Thomas threw a ,really good game, going 7 innings with 5 K's and gave up 11 hits. Ionia defense needs to keep working on cutting out the errors as we suffered 5 infield E's and that's tough to overcome.  In the second game the Ionia Bulldogs out hit the Mason Bulldogs 11 - 7 and lost the game 14-4, we struggled from the circle walking 9 and defense behind them suffered 5 errors again. Tori Guiterrez lasted 2 innings giving up 5 hits and 5 walks, Chloe Witter threw 2 innings walking 4 and giving up 2 hits.  Offense was led by Kaidence Thomas going 2 for 2,  Chloe Witter went 2 for 3, Emma White went 2 for 2. Happy that we played a couple games tonight as we play Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the MHSAA  District Games in Lakewood vs Portland. We ended with a 15-21-1 record. Go BlueIonia Softball loses 2 games to Mason

Ionia's Kaidence Thomas throws No-Hitter in the 11-1 five inning pre-district game. Kaidence surrendered one run on zero hits, striking out 3, she also went 1 for 3 from the dish, scoring 1 run and collecting 3 RBI's. The 3rd inning was big for the Bulldogs scoring 5 runs, contributing to that inning was Senior Londyn Brown, Senior Mel Braman, senior Raj Esquivel and junior Kam Perry. In total Ionia had 11 hits, led by Senior Londyn Brown going 4 for 4 , scoring 2 runs and collecting 3 RBI's. Junior Allyson Strasser had a big offensive game going 3 for 3, scoring 2 runs and collecting 1 RBI. The following Bulldogs each contributed with a hit: Kaidence Thomas, Mel Braman, Tori Guiterrez, & Emma White.  This win allows us to continue our post season on Saturday June 3rd as we battle the Portland Raiders in the 10 a.m. MHSAA District Game.  Go Blue

Ionia lost the first game 9-1, struggling to put runs on the board and suffering 5 errors. Senior Chloe Witter threw 3 innings giving up 7 runs on 8 hits, Kaidence Thomas threw the final 4 innings, giving up one hit and one run and Struck out 3. Ionia managed to get 7 hits, led by Allyson Strasser going 2 for 3 . The second game was rough, the Bulldogs gave up 10 runs in the first inning and 8 in the second inning, suffering a mercy 18-3. Victoria Guiterrez threw 0.1 inning, giving up 6 runs, Kaidence Thomas threw 1.2 innings giving up 12 runs. Defense struggled suffering 5 errors again. Kaidence Thomas was a bright spot at the plate going 2 for 2, Senior Londyn Brown went 1 for 2, scoring a run. Senior Raj Esquivel went 1 for 2 with an RBI. Tonight was about much more then Wins & Loses, tonight we honored our 4 seniors. As they took turns walking the Bulldogs base path one last time collecting gifts and hugs from their teammates and coaches as stories about them were read to the crowd.  I will truly miss these 4 beautiful people but, I am very proud of each one of them and all the things they have accomplished. Senior Chloe Witter will be moving on and attending Grand Valley, Senior Londyn Brown will become a Spartan, Senior Raj Esquivel will be going to CMU  & Senior Melayna Braman will also be attending Central Michigan. Thanks for all your effort with the Ionia Softball Program and Good Luck to each of you. Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog! The Bulldogs finished regular season 14-19-1 We travel to Lakewood this Friday to play in the MHSAA Pre-District game at 4:00 vs. BC Pennfield Go Blue

Ionia dropped game one 7-4 despite out hitting Lakewood 8 to 7. A bases loaded triple to right field in the 4th inning by Slater sealed the victory. Raj Esquivel went 3 for 4, Londyn Brown & Kaidence Thomas each had 2 hits. Kaidence Thomas threw the entire game giving up 7 hits & 7 runs. In game 2 Lakewood ran away with an early lead in the 16-4 win. Lakewood opened the game with 9 runs in the first inning, Hillard & Federau both cleared the center field fence. The Bulldogs collected 10 hits, 2 each by Brown, Thomas, Braman, Esquivel & Strasser. Tori Guiterrez was in the circle, giving up 13 hits, 16 runs and walking 6. The Bulldogs suffered 7 errors in this loss. We are now 14-17-1.   We host St. Johns on Wednesday and we will be honoring our 4 Seniors after the games. Go Blue

Ionia defeated Charlotte 14-11, thanks to a strong start.  Ionia scored on a double by Tori Guiterrez in the first, a single by Kennedy Batista in the first, a single by Allyson Strasser in the first, a fielders choice by Kaidence Thomas, a stolen base by Mariah Stoakes in the first. Senior Londyn Brown went 4 for 5, scoring a run. Kaidence Thomas went 3 for 5 scoring 2 runs and collecting 2 RBI's. Kaidence Thomas was in the circle and threw all 7 innings, allowing 13 hits and 11 runs, striking out 3.  The Bulldogs mercies the Orioles in 3 innings 18-1 in the second game. Tori Guiterrez threw the game, allowing 2 huts and one run, striking out 4.  Mel Braman went 2 for 3, scoring 2 runs and knocking in 5 RBI's. Londyn Brown stayed hot going 2 for 2 scoring 4 runs and collecting 4 RBI's. Kamryn Perry went 2 for 2, scoring 2 runs and collecting 2 RBI's.  The Bulldogs are now 14-15-1 and we travel to Lakewood Thursday. Go Blue

Six games were played at the Ionia "field of dreams" today. Ionia lost to St. Johns 2-8,  Greenville & Hopkins ended in an extra inning 7-7 tie, Ionia lost to Greenville 5-9, Hopkins beat St. Johns 8-3, Ionia beat Hopkins 10-8 in extra innings & St. Johns lost to Greenville 11-3. The Bulldogs struggled to wake the bats up for the 10 a.m. game vs. St. Johns, offensive hi-lite was senior Chloe Witter going 2 for 2 with 1 RBI. Tori Guiterrez lasted 2.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 2 hits & 4 walks. Kaidence Thomas threw the next 4.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits.  The Bulldogs played better in the noon game vs. Greenville and we had 9 hits, led by Kaidence Thomas going 3 for 4 scoring 3 runs, Mel Braman went 2 for 4 collecting 4 RBI's and scored a run. Tori Guiterrez threw 1 inning giving up 6 runs on 3 hits with 3 walks. Kaidence Thomas threw the rest of the game, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits.  The Bulldogs put everything together for the final game vs. Hopkins and Clinched the lead in the 8th inning. Kaidence Thomas threw all 8 innings and gave up 17 hits, 8 runs, Walked zero and had 5 giant strike outs. Kaidence had 2 hits & scored one run, Mel Braman had 2 hits & drew a walk, scoring 2 runs and collecting 2 RBI's. Kam Perry had 2 hits and one of them was a Big Double in the 8th inning scoring 2 runs. Allyson Strasser also had 2 hits with an RBI and scored 2 runs.  It turned out to be a really nice tourney,  good competition,  quality umpires, the Ionia "field of dreams" was in great shape! Thanks to everyone that made this all possible!! I see you and I appreciate everyone! My coaches,  everyone that raked the fields, everyone that brought food, Maddie B. for running Game Changer,  Kim Perry the voice of home games, etc... The Bulldogs host Charlotte Tuesday Go Blue

The Bulldogs won the first game 12-8 lead by Allyson Strasser going 4 for 4, scoring 2 runs and knocking in 2 runs. Senior Chloe Witter went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's. Tori Guiterrez threw 5 innings giving up 3 hits and 6 runs, walking 5 and striking out 5. Kaidence Thomas threw 2 innings and gave up 1 hit and 2 runs with 1 walk and 2 K's. We are still battling the error bug as we suffered 3 errors in the win. The Bulldogs lost the 2nd game 14-4, committing 6 errors and 6 hits led by Senior Melayna Braman going 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and scoring 1 run. We are 11-13-1 and we host a tourney this Saturday Go Blue  

The Bulldogs lost the first game 10-1, giving up 9 of the Cougars runs in the 4th inning, we only managed 2 hits and we suffered 3 errors. In game 2 the Bulldogs took a 9-4 lead into the 7th inning and gave up 6 runs to lose the game 10-9.  Junior Kaidence Thomas was in the circle and she threw a good game but, the D behind her didn't come through. As a team we did hit the ball better collecting 12 hits led by Allyson Strasser going 2 for 4, with an RBI and scoring a run. Senior Raj Esquivel went 2 for 4, scoring one run.  The Bulldogs are 12-10 & 1 and we travel to Alma on Thursday Go Blue

Portland scored 8 runs with 2 outs in the  first inning and that sealed the fate for the Bulldogs. It was a high scoring game with Portland collected 17 hits & Ionia collected 14 hits in the 17-10 Portland victory. Kaidence Thomas led things off in the circle and lasted one & 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and 12 runs, Victoria Guiterrez threw the rest of the game & gave up 7 hits and 5 runs, walking 5. Kaidence Thomas went 2 for 3, scoring 3 runs. Senior Londyn Brown went 3 for 5, scoring 2 runs and collecting 2 RBI's. The following players were all 2 for 4: Melayna Braman, Kamryn Perry, Kennedy Batista & Emma White. We are still working on cutting down on errors as we committed 3 costly errors in this game.  The Bulldogs walked away with the 5-4 Win in the second game, we finally grabbed the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning.  This is the first game that senior short stop Mel Braman pitched this year, she went 7 innings giving up 9 hits & 4 runs, striking out 3. Portland pitcher B. Spitzley took the loss, giving up 11 hits and 5 runs, striking out 5. 3 Bulldogs went 2 for 3: Senior Mel Braman & Juniors Tori Gutierrez & Allyson Strasser.  Still looking to clean things up on defense as we committed 4 errors in this win. We travel to Eaton Rapids tomorrow to keep working on our game. Go Blue!!

Not the best weather for our 8th annual Strike out Cancer Games but, both teams were all in to show up and honor the survivors & remember the the taken. The Bulldogs took the lead late and defeated the Redhawks 8-7. Kaidence Thomas threw the entire game, allowing 9 hits & 7 runs while striking out 7. The Bulldogs had 7 hits in the game led by Kennedy Batista going 2 for 3, scoring one run & collecting 2 RBI's. Junior Catcher Kamryn Perry went 2 for 4, knocking in 2 big runs. The Bulldogs were very aggressive on the bases with 8 steals. In the second game Melayna Braman drove in 5 runs on 3 hits, she doubled in the fourth, tripled in the 5th & 6th. The sticks stayed hot in game 2 and we ended up with 15 hits. Senior Londyn Brown went 4 for 5 collecting 5 RBI's and scoring 2 runs. Raj Esquivel went 3 for 6 with one RBI and scoring 2 runs. Junior Kaidence Thomas threw all 7 innings of this game too, allowing 9 hits and 3 runs and Struck out 4.  We are 9-7 & 1 and we hit the road next week as we travel to Portland Tuesday, Mason on Thursday & E.R. Friday. The games are important and improving is important but, nothing over rides the importance of wearing a jersey with the name of a survivor or the name of someone taken to soon. I wore my jersey to remember my dad and this is a very emotional game and I am proud of everyone for wanting to help out the community with this ICA  cancer awareness game. Thanks to Everyone that helped make this happen, I see you!! Go Blue!

The Bulldogs wrapped things up quick tonight with two 5inning mercies.Game one ended 17-2 & game 2 ended 14-4. Tori Gutierrez led things off in the circle in the first game giving up 2 hits & 2 runs, 2 walks & 5 strike outs.  Offense was led by Senior Melayna Braman going 4 for 4, scoring 3 runs and collecting 4 RBI's. Emma White was 2 for 3 scoring 2 runs.  In game 2 Ionia collected 12 hits and 14 runs, led by Freshman Kennedy Batista going 3 for 4, Mel Braman & Allyson Strasser were each 2 for 4. Senior Chloe Witter threw one inning giving up 1 hit & 2 runs and struck out 2. Kaidence Thomas threw the next 4 innings giving up 4 hits and 2 runs.  That's puts Ionia at 7-7&1.  The "purple" Strike Out Cancer games are tomorrow at 4:00, JV & Varsity vs. Saranac on the Ionia "field of dreams"  Go Blue

Kaidence Thomas was in the circle for game one and she went 7 innings, striking out 7, walking 6, giving up 4 hits and 1 run in the 6 to 1 Bulldog victory.  Offense was lead by Senior Londyn Brown going 2 for 4. Victoria Gutierrez took the circle for game 2 in the 5 inning 15 to 3 Bulldog win. Tori gave up 5 hits and 3 runs while striking out 6 and walking 3. The Bulldogs came to hit in this game, collecting 14hits, led by seniors Mel Braman and Londyn Brown each going 2 for 3, Junior KaidenceThomas went 3 for 4 and Junior Allyson Strasser went 2 for 4.  It was a better outting for the Bulldogs but, more work to do!  We are 5-7 & 1and we travel to Hastings on Thursday.   Please put our "purple" Cancer awareness game on your schedules for this Friday the 28th!!  Go Blue!

The weather was brutal, we had rain, sleet, high winds, dark clouds, more rain and oh so cold!  We lost to Kalamazoo Central 10-0, we beat Berrien Springs 15-3 & lost to Lakeview 17-0.   KC scored runs in the first 3 innings (2,5,3) and we held them to 0 the next few innings, which was a good sign but, we need Offense to win games. We only tallied 4 hits in the game, one hit each by Strasser, Thomas, Perry & Brown.  Tori Gutierrez threw 2.1 innings and gave up 10 runs on 8 hits while walking 8. Kaidence Thomas finished the game and gave up 3 hits, 0 runs and walked one. The Bulldogs committed 2 errors in the game.  In game 2 Raj Esquivel got things going at the plate driving in 5 on 2 hits, she had a single in the 3rd and a triple in the 4th. We racked up 14 hits in the game, Kam Perry and Allyson Strasser went 3 for 3. Raj and Kaidence Thomas went 2 for 3, London Brown went 2 for 4.  Junior Kaidence Thomas threw this game and gave up 3 runs on 8 hits with 0 walks. Game 3 vs. Lakeview was a struggle, Lakeview had a high powered offense! On a regulation sized Softball field they would have easily hit 5 dingers. KaidenceThomas took the loss giving up 18 hits, the Bulldogs committed 2 errors and only managed2 hits, one each by Londyn Brown& Emma White.  Thanks to all the fans that stayed out in that awful weather and supported us! We travel to Belding on Monday and we are currently 3-7 & 1 Go Blue

The Bulldogs watched the game slip away early and we didn't recover, we struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively. Tori Gutierrez took the loss going 6 innings,  allowing 11 runs on 9 hits and striking out 6. Ionia only managed 6 hits, Struck Out 5 times and committed 3 costly errors.  In the 2nd game we came out and played much better but, lost 3-2. I was proud of the way we came back and played with pride in the 2nd game. We actually out hit Willimston 8-4 but, again we committed 3 costly errors. Kaidence Thomas threw the 2nd game and had a nice outing, allowing 4 hits, giving up 3 runs while walking 2 and striking out one. Offensively Thomas went 2 for 3, Raj Esquivel went 2 for 4, Mel Braman & Tori Guiterrez each smacked a double, Alley Strasser and Kam Perry each had one hit.  The game was tied at 2 in the bottom of the 5th when an error scored the go ahead run on an error.  That puts us at 2-5 & 1 and we play in the Gull Lake tourney this Saturday at Bailey Park in BattleCreek. Go Blue

The Bulldogs lost the extra inning battle 8-7, we were tied at 5 with E.R. batting in the bottom of the 6th when the batter hit into a fielders choice and 2 runs scored. Top of 7th the Bulldogs tied things up when an error scored 2 runs. Ionia failed to push a run acrossed in the top of the 8th and with 2 outs E.R. scored the wining run on a past ball. Offensively the Bulldogs were hitting the ball with 15 hits but, we left so many runners on base, struggling to get the job done. Senior Londyn Brown went 4 for 5, scoring 2 runs, Kam Perry went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's. We had several bad decisions running the bases and 2 costly errors, still trying to put everything together. The 2nd game ran right away from the Bulldogs with E.R. taking a 10-0 lead into the 5th inning, Ionia did rally for an at bat and put 4 runs on the board but, that was it. Eaton Rapids went on to score 2 in the 6th & 7 in the 7th and we took a 20-4  loss. E.R. really connected up to bat, they had 3 dingers on the night, 4 doubles and a triple.  Ionia is now 10-10 &1 and we host Lansing Catholic on Tuesday. Go Blue!Ionia Softball drops two to Eaton Rapids

The first game was a 16-5 win for the Bulldogs, we took a 9-0 lead into the 5th inning before giving up 4 runs but, we blew things up in the 7th inning scoring 7 runs. Victoria Gutierrez got the Win, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits, striking out 4 and walking one. Offensively the Bulldogs racked up 12 hits led by Melayna Braman going 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs & scoring 3 runs. First baseman Alley Strasser went 3 for 4, collecting 2 RBIs and scoring 2 runs. Kamryn Perry went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs & scored 2 runs. Raj Esquivel went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, scoring 2 runs and going yard in the 3rd inning.    In the 2nd game the Bulldogs lost 7-6 in the bottom of the 7th. It was an interesting game with several situations that will help us learn and grow as our season moves on. The game ended with 2 challenged calls but, things don't always go the way you want, so, learn and grow and move on. I am really proud of the Bulldogs! They played hard, had some great plays and some almost great plays. Kaidence Thomas threw the first 2 innings surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits. Melayna Braman threw 4.1 innings , giving up 6 hits & allowing 4 runs striking out 3.  Offensively we were led by Tori Gutierrez going 3 for 3 and collecting 3 RBIs.  Ionia is now 2 & 2 and we make the long trip to Fowlerville on Thursday. Go Blue      

It was a rough night for the Bulldogs as we are struggling to find our identity. We played a very tough Fowlerville team tonight and lost both games, 14-4 & 14 -1. Seniors Raj Esquivel  and Melayna Braman were the bright spot offensively with each of them going yard. We only managed 6 hits in 2 games while we suffered 14 Strike-outs . We will keep working to learn and grow and find success.  We are now 2-3 & 1 and we travel to Eaton Rapids on Tuesday Go Blue!

The Bulldogs opened their season against a tough Redhawks team on a Super Cold March day. The Bulldogs won the first game 3 -2 in what turned out to be a pitchers duel. Ionia pitcher Tori Gutierrez took the 7 inning win, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and striking out 8. Redhawks pitch D. Reagan allowed 7 hits and 3 runs while striking out 7. The following Bulldogs each had one hit: Esquivel, Perry, Thomas, Braman, Gutierrez, Batista & White.  The 2nd game ended in a 2-2 tie, game called because of darkness. Ionia Senior pitcher Chloe Witter went 7 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 2. Ionia showed patience at the plate and took advantage of 8 walks, we only managed 2 hits, both by senior Mel Braman.  I was pleased with our energy and teamwork and even thou it was awful cold I'm glad we got a couple game in. Ionia travels to Portland next Wednesday to take on St. Pats Go Blue!!