Senior-laden Marine City softball wants to 'capitalize' on superb start

MARINE CITY — It would be an understatement to say that the Marine City softball team is in a win-now situation. Because when 70% of the roster won't return next year, the future can wait.

Fittingly, the Mariners aren't wasting any time in the present.

"We've been blessed with a group of girls that like to compete," Marine City coach Courtney LaBuhn said. "We're coming back late into some of the games, but still finding a way to pull it out … (our focus is) trying to keep the energy at a high — but controlled — level without getting too giddy."

Entering Tuesday, the Mariners are 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the MAC Blue. They've won seven straight after dropping the opener to Utica, 4-1, back on April 8.

"We're starting to get into our groove," senior Josalyn Dietlin said. "We struggled in that first game and weren't hitting well the first couple games. But now we're getting back into it. Our pitching and our defense have been very good. We've had minimal errors and just have to keep getting our hitting going.

"We have nine seniors this year, so we have a lot of potential. And, even with one the toughest districts that we could be in, I think we have a chance if we work together and get the bats going."

While Marine City is scoring 6.9 runs per game, that number is a bit misleading.

Thirty-two of the Mariners' 55 runs were generated in two games — a 17-11 victory over Marysville on April 19 and a 15-0 thrashing of Port Huron Northern last Thursday. Four of their five remaining wins have all come by a single run, with the exception being a 2-0 triumph against Port Huron on April 9.

Fortunately, the team is allowing just 3.9 runs per game and already has a pair of shutout victories.

"We usually have pretty good lock-down defense," senior Gracelynn Hobbs said. "Our pitching is usually on point, it's mostly just the hitting (that needs work). Once we get around with that, if we keep going at that pace through the rest of these (league) games, I think we'll definietely be solid and that we'll make it really far."

If there's a silver lining to the Mariners' inconsistent offense, it's the fact that all nine hitters are able to produce.

"Everyone is contributing, from the top of the lineup to the bottom," Dietlin said. "It's really good to see that the younger players are even adjusting to the game."

Those younger players consist of three sophomores and junior Emma Terhune. But they aren't your typical underclassmen, as all four have varsity experience, particularly Terhune, who spent the entirety of last season with the team.

"As a junior, it's really special to be able to play with a bunch of girls that can be mentors to me," Terhune said. "We've been working really hard in practices and I think it's starting to show in the games."

Roster continuity is rare in high school sports. So when every face inside the clubhouse is familiar, camaraderie gets established long before opening day. Marine City understands that significance.

"Last year, coming into varsity as a junior, (this level) was all new to me and I had to adjust playing with seniors," Hobbs said. "But this year, I feel like we all had time to connect. Especially because we don't really have any new girls. So, since we've all been together the past year, we all have a really good connection, we know each other's game styles and what to expect of each other."

"This is a great group of kids that work hard and work well together," LaBuhn said. "They seem to really like each other and I think that makes a big difference in success. If they're having fun and enjoying each other's company, that goes a long way on the field."

Of course, there's still a long way to go. District tournaments don't begin for another month.

"I definietely think we have to get a jump (on teams early in the game)," Terhune said. "Keeping that energy and effort right out the gate — we have the potential to do it and just have to capitalize on that."

Moving forward, the message for the Mariners is clear.

"Continue to improve," LaBuhn said. "Don't be complacent. It's so hard to stay focused this time of year, especially for seniors. So having nine seniors, that's going to be our biggest challenge going into the later parts of the season. Staying focused on the field and making sure they continue to want to win, that's the hardest at this time of year."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper .

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Senior-laden Marine City softball wants to 'capitalize' on superb start