Bears capture Great Lakes District A title

MARYSVILLE, Mich.  - The Mott Community College softball team won three straight one-run games to capture the 2025 NJCAA Division II Great Lakes District A Tournament title over the weekend at Marysville City Park. 

The Bears opened the tournament with a 7-6 win in eight innings over Lake Michigan College on Thursday. Mott scored two in the bottom of the seventh and walked off for a 3-2 win with a run in the ninth to top Mid Mid Michigan College on Friday advanced to the championship round.

In a rematch with Mid Michigan College, the Bears scored three in the sixth and held on for an 8-7 victory to win the tournament and advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series later this month. 

Championship Game Highlights: 

• Tournament MVP Cassie Sylvester put the Bears in front in the sixth with a two-run double. She finished with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. 

• Heaven Helkowski went 4-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, and a stolen base. 

• Keira McGarvie hit her ninth home run of the season, finishing with three RBIs, and a run scored. 

• Emma Benner recorded two hits and two RBIs, while Khloe Williams added two hits and a walk. 

• Maggie Boehm (21-4) recorded the win on the mound in relief. She tossed three innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits, while striking out two. 

Tournament Awards:

• Tournament MVP - Cassie Sylvester

• All-Tournament Team - Arika Hines, Heaven Helkowski, Keira McGarvie, Cassie Sylvester. 

• Coach of the Year - Terry Warner

Up Next:

The Bears move on to the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series from May 19-24 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.