By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Matt VanBrandt struggled to find a way to describe his pitcher Saturday.

Whiteford’s Unity Nelson tossed two perfect games, allowed only two batters to hit a ball in play and led Whiteford to a Division 3 district championship.

“Saying Unity was dialed in would be an understatement,” VanBrandt said. “I’m not sure what to say about her performance or the word to call it.”

Whiteford beat Ida 15-0 in four innings and St. Mary Catholic Central 12-0 in five innings. Nelson struck out the first 18 batters to come to the plate against her. Of the 24 outs she recorded in the two games, 22 were by strikeout. Karlei Conard caught a bunt attempt and Nelson snagged a soft line drive for the other outs in the game.

“I was focused,” Nelson said. “I was trying to get in the zone while we warmed up with my catcher and the team was taking infield (practice). I think the whole team was focused today.”

Ida spotted Whiteford a 7-0 lead in the first inning after winning the coin toss and electing to be the home team. Jillian Webb and Jessica Ulery both went 3-for-3 and Aly VanBrandt had two hits and walked twice. The game went four innings. 

SMCC beat Erie Mason 16-1 to reach the final. 

“I told my girls to come out and play light and loose and they did” SMCC coach Dani Emery said. “They were seeing the ball well and the pitching was good.”

Against Whiteford, SMCC didn’t get the same production. Emery said the Kestrels have been preparing for Whiteford all season.

“When you face a pitcher like that, sometimes game plans go out the window,” Emery said.

Whiteford’s hitters were just as dialed in as Nelson. The Bobcats scored two in the top of the first inning and three in the second to lead 5-0 early. The big inning was the fourth when they scored four times.

“My offense was firing on all cylinders,” Nelson said. “That gives me a lot of confidence.”

VanBrandt went 3-for-4 while Shay Alexander, Kaydence Sheldon, Patrina Marsh, Nelson and Jessica Ulery each had two hits. VanBrandt had a double and triple.

The Bobcats are 33-4. The district championship is No. 26 in school history – and third straight. Whiteford will play in the Division 3 regional at Onsted next week.