RAVENNA — Shelby’s softball season came to an end June 6 with a loss to Morley-Stanwood in the Michigan High School Association’s regional semifinals, but the Tiger’s Jayna Burmeister almost brought them back all the way on a beautiful, but hot afternoon.

Burmeister, also the starting pitcher that day, hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, but it was one run short.

The game was error-filled for both sides, but they were costly to the Tigers as Morely-Stanwood was able to take advantage.

And the Mohawks were able to capitalize on a Shelby error in the first inning.

Following a single by Laney Bongard and a Saige Ososki, Bongard was able to score on an error by Shelby’s Jaedyn Allen.

In the bottom of the first, Shelby went 1-2-3.

In the second inning, Jurnee Wilcox reached first base on a pop fly that Shelby’s Allen dropped.

Wilcox was able to steal second, but the Mohawks could not bring her in.

The bottom of the inning saw Allen walk, but they could not do any damage.

The Mohawks then extended their lead in the top of the third inning to 2-0 when Taylor Schuberg singled and then Bongard also singled, bringing home Schuberg.

But that was it for the Mohawks.

The Tigers were able to take the lead in the bottom of the third.

First, Izzy Rudat drew a walk, then Burmeister singled.

Rudat took third base on the throw to first, and Burmeister took second on defensive indifference.

Emma Stovall got a double, bringing home Rudat and Burmeister.

A steal of third base by Emma Stovall allowed her to come home on a wild pitch.

At that point in the game, the Tigers led, 3-2.

In the top of the fourth inning, Lexi Martin reached first base on a walk, but the Mohawks were unable to score.

Gabriella LaFever drew a walk in the bottom of the fourth, but the Tigers did not score.

The Mohawks were able to tie the score in the top of the fifth inning.

Bongard reached first on an error by Shelby’s Rudat, then stole second.

Bongard reached third on a groundout by Sarah Groendyke, and then Abby Dard reached first on an error by Rudat, enabling Bongard to score.

In the bottom of the fifth, Burmeister reached first base on an error by the Mohawks third baseman.

Then Jordan Wolting hit into a fielder’s choice, and Burmeister was thrown out at second.

That kept the score at 3-3.

The Mohawks went 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth inning, as did the Tigers in the bottom of the inning.

Two Shelby errors in top of the seventh inning helped the Mohawks take the lead for good.

Schuberg reached first on a dropped fly ball by Stella Springer, and when Bongard grounded out, Schuberg advanced to second.

Osoki reached first on an error by Allen, and Schuberg was held at second.

Schuberg then stole third base on a wild pitch.

Groendyke grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing in Schuberg.

She would then reach second base on defensive indifference.

Then Dard singled to right fielder Springer, and Groendyke and Ososki both scored.

In the bottom of the seventh, LaFever walked, and was replaced by courtesy runner Ciara Anzaldua.

Burmeister then hit a long home run into right field, and the Tigers were back within one, 6-5.

But it wasn’t enough as the Mohawks won.

Tigers Head Coach Kevin Burmeister, Jayna’s father, said, “Good teams put the ball in play; we’re going to have a few walks, we’re going to strike a lot of people out.”

Burmeister led the way for the Tigers at the plate with two runs, two hits, two runs-batted in, and one strikeout.

Emma Stovall was next with one run, one hit, two RBIs and two strikeouts.

Rudat scored one run, had one walk and struck out once.

Wolting struck out three times; Allen walked once and struck out twice; LaFever walked twice; Springer walked twice, and Hali Hayes struck out once.

Allie Stovall and Daniella Zarraga each struck out once.

Burmeister went the distance for the Tigers in the pitching circle, pitching seven innings, allowing five hits, six runs, one earned run and eight strikeouts.

Kevin Burmeister, her father and the Tigers head coach, said, “I don’t think she struggled, to be honest with you.”

“Jayna, in my personal opinion, maybe this is bias because I’m her dad, Jayna threw one of her best games of the year today in a tough situation against a really good team that’s fifth in the state, which, whatever, we don’t care about that,” Kevin Burmeister said.

Burmeister also said, “But, against a good team, you have to hit your spot a lot; we didn’t win or lose the game in the circle, that was not a reason of that.”