Walled Lake Northern softball caps historic season with first state championship

The Walled Lake Northern softball team made history on Saturday morning raising the MHSAA Division 1 State Championship for the first time in school history. The Knights claimed the school’s first state title with a thrilling 2-1 win over Grand Haven.

“It’s amazing, and I cannot believe we made school history,” said Shaela Byrnes. “It just feels surreal, and we just did it for us and our school.”

“It literally feels like a dream come true,” said Aubrey Kresbaugh. “From the start of the season this is what our goal was, and we did it.”

The Knights jumped out to early lead after Lyla Turmell belted a solo home run over the left-center wall to give Walled Lake Northern a 1-0 lead in the first.

“I was kind of nervous going into it,” admitted Turmell. “But I knew my bat could help me and save me.”

Those nerves quickly disappeared and Turmell locked in on the mound. The Knights’ lone senior and University of Toledo-bound pitcher didn’t allow a single hit the rest of the game. She finished the afternoon allowing just one hit in the first inning with three walks and nine strikeouts, including the final out of the game.

Grand Haven kept the pressure on throughout the game. After a leadoff walk and a pair of fielding errors in the fourth, Kloe VandenBrink crossed the plate to tie it up, 1-1. The Bucs then loaded up the bases in the sixth, but Walled Lake Northern was able to get out of the jam unscathed.

“If you make a mistake, you need to forget about it and bounce back for your team,” said Byrnes.

And that is exactly what she and the Knights did. Byrnes hit a solo home run off the foul post in left field to give Walled Lake Northern back the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the sixth. The home run also marked a new single season program record as the Knights’ 60th long ball of the year. The previous home run record of 59 was set back in 2019.

“It felt so great off my bat, like it went right off my barrel and I saw it go,” said Byrnes. “It was so amazing that I was crying around the bases.”

Trumell then sealed the win by striking out the side in the seventh inning to claim the MHSAA Division 1 State Championship.

“Honestly, I didn’t even believe it was real until my catcher started running at me,” said Turmell. “I’m proud of everybody, proud of my team for having my back and it feels awesome! Honestly, it’s unbelievable.”

Raising that state championship trophy was also just the first gift of the day for Kresbaugh, who happened to be celebrating her 16th birthday on Saturday as well.

“Best birthday ever!” said Kresbaugh with a big smile on her face. “I’m never going to forget it.”