By DOUG DONNELLY

DETROIT – Whiteford played perhaps the toughest schedule in school history this season and Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Algonac in the Division 3 quarterfinals was a testament to why.

The Bobcats got great pitching and were patient at the plate, waiting for the right opportunity to pounce. When it came, they made the most of it, cashing in with two runs and made it stick to advance to Friday morning’s semifinals.

“Our schedule plays a big role in games like this,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said. “It was a great high school softball game.”

Whiteford pitching ace Unity Nelson struck out 12, working out of one bases-loaded jams and picked up her 19th victory of the season. She allowed three singles, two of them on Muskrat bunts.

The North Dakota University-bound senior was in control for most of the game. Algonac never was able to put its leadoff runner on base against her and she lowered her ERA from the 0.82 she had going into the game with seven shutout innings. Nelson set down the first 10 Muskrat batters before Madison Grace singled to left with one out in the fourth.

Algonac’s best scoring chance came in the fifth when two singles and a hit batsman loaded the bases with Muskrats. Kenna Bommarito grounded out to Karlei Conard at shortstop to end the threat.

“I can’t think of a more dangerous situation to be in,” VanBrandt said. “Bases loaded and their best hitter at the plate. Our pitching coach (Audra VanBrandt) went out to circle, and we went right at her. She hit a shot to shortstop that Karlei fielded just fine. That’s a high-pressure situation.”

In the Bobcat sixth, Kaydence Sheldon walked with one out and came around to score when Koralynn Billau was safe on an infield hit and Algonac made a throwing error. The Bobcats missed a second run on a play at the plate in which the runner was out trying to score.

In the seventh, Whiteford put its first two runners on with a single and walk. Conard came through with her second single of the day to score Shay Alexander, who had reached on a walk, and made it 2-0.

The lead held up in the bottom of the seventh inning as Nelson retired the Muskrats 1-2-3.

Nelson now has more than 270 strikeouts this season and more than 1,100 for her career.

Bommarito also struck out 12.

“Both pitchers pitched well today,” VanBrandt said.

Conard said the difficult schedule the Bobcats play pays off in tight games like Tuesday.

“Our schedule plays a huge part in what we are able to accomplish,” said Conard, who is hitting over .400 for the season. “The bigger and better teams we face prepares us for our end goal. Seeing the higher level hitting prepares our fielders and higher-level pitching allows us to see different spins and types of pitches we wouldn’t normally see.”

The Bobcats will face 36-5-1 Clare at 10 a.m. Saturday at Michigan State. Clare was ranked No. 8 in the final Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association rankings of the season.

The Bobcats have played in two straight state championship games but are looking for their first softball state title since 1987.