OTTAWA LAKE – Kris Hubbard started Whiteford’s softball program in 1979 and turned it into one of the best in Michigan.
Under her leadership, the Bobcats won three state championships and 865 games in 41 seasons.
She handed the reins to Matt VanBrandt in 2020 and became an assistant coach, helping Whiteford reach the state finals in each of the past three seasons.
It takes a lot of great players to enjoy that kind of success and Hubbard has coached all of them.
So, it means a lot when Hubbard recently called Unity Nelson the best pitcher in Whiteford history.
VanBrandt was a little taken back when Hubbard said that a few weeks ago, but not really surprised.
“I’ve seen quite a few (Whiteford pitchers),” VanBrandt said. “I was 10 years old when they won their first state championship. We’ve never had anyone who does what Unity does.”
Nelson’s unique brand of speed and spin helped her compile an 89-9 record with a 0.54 earned-run average during four seasons as the top pitcher for the Bobcats. She finished with a school-record 1,156 strikeouts and allowed just 43 earned runs in her career
“Sure, her strikeout totals are impressive, but when you look at who she pitched against, it's even more impressive,” VanBrandt said.
Nelson who recently was named the Miss Softball Pitcher of the Year for the state after going 20-3 with a 0.76 ERA as a senior.
She has been chosen by The Monroe News sports staff as the Monroe County Region Softball Player of Year.
Nelson was humbled by Hubbard’s praise.
“She’s been there so long and seen so many great players,” she said. “It’s a great compliment, amazing. She is so kind. I didn’t know she thought so highly of me.
“I have such huge respect for all she has accomplished and the lessons she teaches.”
Nelson learned lessons about pitching at a young age.
“I started around the age of four,” she said. “I would throw the ball around at my sister’s tournaments. Then, I started playing in the Clinton little league and was on a travel team when I was seven years old.”
Her older sister, Tierney, pitched Clinton to two state championships in 2011 and 2012 and went on to play collegiately at Lemar.
“She loved the game and passed it on to me,” Nelson said. “I could see her passion. I always looked up to her.”
The daughter of Michael and Michelle Nelson of Tecumseh says her father helped her become a pitcher.
“I started working at a very young age,” she said. “My dad taught me to spin the ball. My first pitch was a curveball. My dad knew I was small, so I wouldn’t have a ton of speed. I have a lot of spin. My ball moves a lot.”
Despite her small stature, Nelson’s pitches have been clocked as high as 65 miles per hour.
“But I am comfortable around 62,” she said.
She transferred to Whiteford as a freshman.
“It’s definitely been amazing,” she said. “It was a great career. The whole team backed me from the start.”
Whiteford has been the state runner-up in each of the past three seasons, including late-inning losses in the Division 3 state finals the last two years.
“It was frustrating,” she said of the two one-run losses. “But there are some things you can’t control. The team was 100 percent together the whole time.”
In addition to her standout performances in the circle, Nelson was one of the top hitters for the Bobcats. She tied for highest batting average on the team at .407.
“I’m a contact hitter,” she said. “I just try to put the ball in play as hard as I can.”
She was excellent at doing that.
“She was one of our leaders defensively and offensively,” VanBrandt said. “She had the most strikeouts as a pitcher and the fewest strikeouts as a hitter.”
Nelson will continue her career next year at Division 1 North Dakota.
“Their coach reached out to me on Sept. 1, the first day they can talk to high school players,” Nelson said. “I started giving him stats updates. I went there to visit in February.
“Its far way, but it’s beautiful. I came home and told my parents, ‘It’s a great place. I want to be there.’”
She hopes to carve out a big role for herself early in her career.
“They have some great pitchers and some great bats,” she said. “I need to work and give it my all. I have a shot to prove myself.”
Shay Alexander, Whiteford, senior, 3B
Batted .354 from the lead-off spot and led the Bobcats with 40 runs. "She was a sparkplug that kept our offense going,” Whiteford coach Matt VanBrandt said.
Ava Auler, Carlson, senior, 3B
A Lourdes recruit who hit .487 with 32 runs and 29 RBI. “Ava was a senior captain, team leader and a great hitter,” Carlson coach Jason Gyolai said.
Alana Aulph, Monroe, senior, P-IF
“Alana is one of the best players I've coached,” Monroe coach Jim Davis said of the pitcher-infielder who hit .511 with 9 home runs, 39 homers and 15 doubles.
Brenna Baker, Airport, soph., SS
Keyed the Jet defense while hitting .319 with 38 runs and 19 RBI. “Brenna is one of the best shortstops I have ever watched play the game,” Airport coach Jess Irwin said.
Tori Busen, SMCC, junior, C
Batted .457 with 35 runs and 21 RBI. “Tori creates a lot of chaos on the bases with her speed,” SMCCC coach Dani Emery said. “A leader on the field.”
Kiernan Brown, Dundee, junior, 1B
Batted .482 with18 doubles, 7 homers and 54 RBI. “Kiernan had an awesome season she was just clutch knocking in runs,” Dundee coach Mickey Moody said.
Avery Collett, Monroe, senior, P-IF
Played great at shortstop, won 11 games with a 3.15 ERA and drove in 19 runs and scored 19. She got better and better as the season went on,” Monroe coach Jim Davis said.
Karlei Conard, Whiteford, senior, SS
A walk-off homer against Saline highlighted a season where she hit .407. “Played great against us,” Monroe coach Jim Davis said. “We could not get her out.”
Leila Daniels, Milan, junior, C
Set a school record with 14 homers and hit .511 with 41 RBI. “Leila is a game-changer on both offense and defense,” Milan coach Kirk Davis said of the Bradley recruit.
RaeAnn Drummond, Airport, senior, P-1B
Went 20-6 with a 2.02 ERA and 216 strikeouts and hit .453 with 8 homers and 45 RBI. “As our leader, Rae was a class act,” Airport coach Jess Irwin said.
Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock, fresh., 3B
Hit .481 with .511 on-base and .728 slugging percentages and 26 RBI. “Sarah is a silent killer for us,” Flat Rock coach Haylee Simpson said.
Aubrey Hensley, Bedford, junior, C
Clubbed 7 homers and hit .549 despite playing just 15 games. “One of the best players around,” Monroe coach Jim Davis said. “Don't plan on stealing on her.”
Kennedy Irwin, Dundee, senior, SS
Set school records for batting average (.598), runs (70) and stolen bases (52). “She can just do it all,” Dundee coach Mickey Moody said. “Special, special player.”
Marissa Jackson, Huron, senior, OF
Hit .490 with 14 doubles, 29 runs and no strikeouts. “Marissa is the best defensive outfielder I have ever coached,” Huron coach Tedi Belisle said. “Her range is dynamic.”
Reese Knox, Milan, soph., SS,
Bounced back impressively from an injury last year to hit .425 with 44 RBI and 42 runs. “Great glove, strong arm and explosive bat,” Milan coach Kirk Davis said.
Addi Kopp, Flat Rock, junior, SS
Headed to Oakland University after hitting .437 with 20 RBI and 19 stolen bases. “The smoothest defender I've seen,” Bedford coach Marla Gooding said.
Jenna Kuzara, Huron, senior, OF
Broke the school record with 32 steals and hit .483 with 6 homers and 35 RBI. “It was a privilege coaching an athlete of her caliber,” Huron coach Tedi Belisle said.
Nyah Mullins, Bedford, junior, 3B
Drove in 44 runs from the lead-off spot and batted .430 with 13 doubles and 8 homers. “She's incredibly patient in the box,” Bedford coach Marla Gooding said.
Julia Perry, Jefferson, senior, P
Compiled a .414 average with 6 homers and a 2.84 ERA with 159 strikeouts. “An iron horse who carried the team on her shoulders,” Jefferson coach Jodey Dunn said.
Payton Pudlowski, Bedford, senior, SS
A Toledo recruit who hit .458 with 11 homers, 52 RBI and 23 steals. “Payton has been a dynamic athlete for us her whole career,” Bedford coach Marla Gooding said.
Jessica Schrader, Ida, junior, SS
Stood out defensively while hitting .418 with 37 runs and 21 steals. “Great range and good arm got us out of a lot of innings,” Ida coach Chelsea Brancheau said.
Summer Smith, Ida, senior, 3B
A Cleary University commit who hit .488 with 40 RBI. “Having her power in the lineup was a major gamechanger for us,” Ida coach Chelsea Breacheau said.
Mariah Stines, Milan, senior, P
A Davenport recruit who was 18-5 with a 2.22 ERA, 193 strikeouts,11 homers and 34 RBI. “Mariah was the backbone of our team,” Milan coach Kirk Davis said.
Olivia Tilley, Airport, soph., 2B
Created havoc with a .533 average, 60 runs, 26 walks and 42 steals. “There was nothing we could do to keep her off base,” Monroe coach Jim Davis said.
SPECIAL MENTION
Players: Koralynn Billau, Whiteford; Mackenzie Chrysler, Milan; Ryen Clair, Flat Rock; Callie Cousino, SMCC; Danielle Dalpiaz, Airport; Faith Dean, SMCC; Lauren Doane, Dundee; Lauren Dunwoody, Gibraltar Carlson; Ava Fisher, Summerfield; Camryn Gee, SMCC; Lindsey Gennoe, Jefferson; Virginia Heikka, Milan; Reese Hennessey, Ida; Addie Homrich, Erie Mason; Hailey Knox, Milan; Taylor Konkus, Gibraltar Carlson; Kensey Kreger, Erie Mason; Kaitlyn Kwiatkowski, Bedford; Alivia LeBrun, Jefferson; Georgia Linzell, Milan; Kara Ludy, Gibraltar Carlson; Avery Mack, Flat Rock; Madison Mazei, Milan; Brooklyn Mills, Whiteford; Emma Neace, Flat Rock; Brea Olmstead, Summerfield; Brook Payment, Jefferson; Natalie Rath, Dundee; Tierra Ronayne, Milan; Kaydence Sheldon, Whiteford; Emma Sic, New Boston Huron; Addison Skinner, Kelsey Stein, Ida; Zoie Stubleski, Erie Mason; Gibraltar Carlson; Shay VanZandt, Dundee; Hannah Williams, SMCC; Maci Willey, Monroe.
Coaches: Jess Irwin, Airport; Mickey Moody, Dundee; Matt VanBrandt, Whiteford.
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