May 27th 2026 On a beautiful night at Lakewood Park Christian School, the Hamilton Marines softball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday evening in the IHSAA Sectional Semi-Final against Fremont High School. The Lady Marines came out strong early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Tsumiya Sato crossed the plate on a wild pitch, while Tristen Creager later walked home after Hamilton earned a bases-loaded walk. Fremont responded with a big second inning, scoring nine runs before adding two more in the third and four in the fourth inning. Offensively for Hamilton, Marissa Mercer went 1-for-2 at the plate, while Tsumiya Sato finished 1-for-2 with a run scored. Senior Tristen Creager continued her outstanding season by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Karly Nester, Leslee Steigerwald, Brenna Mercer (2), and Skye Allen (2) all worked walks during the contest. Mercer pitched all five innings in the circle and recorded a strikeout. The sectional game wraps up the 2026 season for the Lady Marines, who finished the year with a 7-12 overall record while also capturing the Barn Burner Classic championship for the second consecutive season. Hamilton had several standout performances throughout the year at the plate. Batting over .300 on the season were Tristen Creager (.538), Marissa Mercer (.531), Karly Nester (.471), Haley Ellert (.452), Tsumiya Sato (.340), and Brenna Mercer (.333). Creager, M. Mercer, and Nester each recorded over 20 hits during the season. Creager also powered the offense with five home runs and 26 RBIs, while both Creager and Mercer scored 26 runs apiece. Inside the circle, Marissa Mercer threw 101 innings, started 17 games, and reached the 100-strikeout milestone during the season. Hamilton also says goodbye to six seniors who helped lead the program this spring. Congratulations and thank you to Skye Allen, Tristen Creager, Haley Ellert, Kristie Kuhn, Marissa Mercer, and Tsumiya Sato for your dedication, leadership, and commitment to Hamilton softball. You will truly be missed.