Lady Raiders host Lady Shamrocks in 2021 Suzanne J. Buche Memorial Cancer Awareness Tournament

Since 2005, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend has been a significant day each year for Portland High School softball. It is the day that the Lady Raiders honor those impacted by cancer by playing softball and raising funds for the American Cancer Society.

The tournament is named in honor of Suzanne J. Buche. Suzanne was the late wife of Matt Buche, and was an avid supporter of her children Bridger and Danielle who both hand standout athletic careers for PHS. Suzanne lost her battle with cancer, but the Buche family celebrates her legacy each Memorial Day weekend by hosting this tournament. The effort has raised more than $10,000 for cancer charities since its inception.

This year’s tournament field included Portland, St. Pats, and Owosso.

The first game of the day saw the Raiders and Shamrocks meet head-to-head in a well-played game by both squads. The Raiders would prevail 6-5.

Offensively the Shamrocks had one hit each from Carley Scheurer and Lydia Meredith (double).

For the Raiders, Jayden Townsend (triple), Brook Seal, Aubrey Faulkner and Stella Durrant each had one hit.

Sophia Novara pitched the complete game for Portland, striking out four Shamrock batters.

For St. Pat’s, Carley Scheurer pitched three innings striking out three, and Rylee Scheurer pitched three innings striking out

Owosso would defeat both St. Pats and Portland in the later games of the tournament.

Photos:

L - The Portland and St. Pats teams line up for a group photo.

C - Danielle (Buche) Kingery and three cancer survivors the ceremonial first pitch.

R - St. Pat's coaches Jocelyn Rockey and Keelie Honsowitz present a check to Bridger Buche and Danielle (Buche) Kingery for the American Cancer Society.