Rogers City - Six years ago to the day, Lonny Metty saw his daughter Kayla - who was a star of the outdoor softball team at the time - the top inland lake for the regional champions.
He has been hoping to guide the Cardinal as a coach ever since.
May 31, 2025 - Just like May 31, 2019 - The Cardinals broke with elite rivals from northern Michigan, ending their six-year championship with a 12-2 victory over Rogers City Hurons in the MHSAA 4-finals at Rogers City on Saturday.
"I know we have it in us," Metty said. "The discipline the girls really passed through in the last season, our batsmen were really good, our defense was really good. It took us half a year to get into our area, but I know the way we encountered it in the last few weeks. We have it in us. We have confidence in these girls."
Cardinal (18-12) won the RBI single from Senior Charlotte Box in the first RBI singles, followed by Senior Senior EMA DeMaestri's RBI doubles.
Rogers City returned to the game with two runs at the bottom of the third inning, but the box went on to win her excellent hit day, with his three-fold win, giving Lily Parr, Marley Szymoniak and Marley Szymoniak and Layla Box a 6-2 advantage in fifth place. The Cardinal added four runs to the top of the sixth to fully control its Presque Isle peers.
Meanwhile, Onaway freshman Aleigha Garms showed her best pitching performance in her young career and threw a seven-inning full game with four strikeouts and six hits, with just one walk.
While Onaway's victory may surprise many, the Cardinal won confidence in himself in the second half of the season.
On Saturday, everything paid off.
"Honestly, I'm not sure what made us suddenly get a click - I think we started working harder in practice, maybe better, and enjoy each other's company as we go to games and practice," Demaestri said. "Overall, I think we're getting better as players and showing off."
Charlotte Box scored 3-4 for the Cardinals with five RBI and two runs, and the Cardinals scored two hits from Demaestri (Double, RBI), Natalee Hyde (two doubles) and Layla Box (two runs). Sadie Decker (RBI), Garms (RBI), Parr (RBI) and Marley Szymoniak were all hit. Carley Karsten has two RBIs.
"It feels good to end a career like this," Dyke said. "I have to thank all the lower graders because we wouldn't be able to do that without them and Aleigha (Garms) pitched. Everyone stepped up."
In the semi-finals, the Cardinal defeated the Wolverines 31-0.
Charlotte Box played 3-4 with triple, three RBIs and 3 scores, while Szymoniak scored 3-3 for 3, two and three scores, Demaestri scored two doubles, four RBIs and 3 scores, three-pointers, Lesley Lalonde, Lalonde doubled and scored two RBIs.
Layla Box won the pitching victory, hitting two games and winning one hit in three innings.
Onaway heads to Port Springs in the regional semifinals on Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m.
Please contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportscdt