Senior USA players reflect on the team’s 10th championship

When the Unionville-Sebewaing Area softball team won its fifth straight and 10th overall state championship, five seniors walked off the field as champions.

Two of the five, Gabby Crumm and Jenna Gremel, walk away as four-time champions. Three more seniors, Rylie Betson, Ella Neumann and Bree Tomlinson, also leave the diamond as champions. Four spoke after the team’s 11-1 win over Holton.

“The last two days in East Lansing have been a little overwhelming,” Ella Neumann said. “We were all excited to be back. Most of us had been here before. It was a great time.”

“We came in expecting to play in this game,” Jenna Gremel added. “So we knew the game in Mendon would be tough. It was the last game we played here. We beat them. We came into today with no nerves at all, just excitement in the dugout. It was all excitement for me. It’s my last season I’m sure the other seniors were thinking the same thing, but we have to finish strong.

Rylie Betson had four hits in the two games and helped the team take home the championship. Gabby Crumm also had three hits, one of which was a home run.

“My mind went crazy,” Betson said. “I just wanted to do what was best for the team. Whatever I did, I just had to shake it off and get the next one.”

“We thought we were going to bite our nails,” Crumm added. “We came in and had a one-pitch-at-a-time mentality. One play-at-a-time. If something crazy happens, settle for it. When we were up six points (in the fourth), something crazy good happened to us. Then let go. That was huge. We came in and killed it.”

Each senior said experience played a big factor in the Patriots winning the state championship. They used a lot of that experience to calm the nerves of the younger players.

“We have a lot of young girls on the team,” Neumann said. “We had to calm them down and reassure them that they are here for a reason. They knew what they were capable of, and they would help us tremendously.”

“These girls have so much ability,” Betson added. “We’re really excited to see what they can do over the next three years. We had to make sure we let them know we have their back. We’re proud of them.”

Concluding their careers, all the seniors said they are proud to be part of the USA Softball team and that the years have been a blessing to them.

“It was a dream to be part of the USA softball team,” Betson said. “I hope these girls can continue the tradition and have fun with it.”

“I’m grateful to have been a part of it,” Neumann added. “I hope the rest of the girls dig deep and continue this.”