MUSKEGON TWP.- When Reeths-Puffer's Abbie Critchett drew a walk during the sixth inning against Ravenna on Saturday, a teammate shouted from the dugout, "They're scared of you!"
That may have been an overstatement, because the Ravenna softball team is very good, but there was no doubt that the Bulldogs were being careful with Critchett, for a very good reason.
The senior shortstop had already had a huge game at the plate, hitting a three-run inside-the-park home run and a solo over-the-fence homer, driving in four runs.
Her big bat ended up propelling the Rockets to an impressive 8-2 victory over Ravenna in the championship game of the annual Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament, held at Reeths-Puffer High School.
Abbie Critchett (12) celebrates with teammates after one of her homers. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The Rockets went 3-0 on the day to win the tournament for the second year in a row. They beat Mona Shores in the first round and Fruitport in the semifinals.
Along the way R-P extended its winning streak to 10 games and improved its record to 14-1. .
Critchett and her hot bat have had a lot to do with the Rockets' success lately. She's been hitting like there's no tomorrow, and for Critchett and her fellow seniors, that's not far from the truth.
They only have a few more weeks to attain their lofty goals before their varsity careers come to an end.
"I was just ready to hit the ball and get things going," said Critchett, who noted that she was using a brand new bat on Saturday. "I just made contact and it felt so good. 
Critchett avoids the catcher's tag as she slides into home. Photo/Jeremy Clark
"I just want to get out there and do what I can do. Time flies by. People say it goes by fast, but you don't realize how fast it really goes. To get everybody excited around me, and do what I can do, it feels good."
R-P head coach Sarah Bayle knows how badly Critchett wants to win before she's done, and believes it has inspired her performance.
"She's been swinging a hot bat lately," Bayle said. "She's been even more consistent over the last week, especially all day today. It's her senior year and she's been going hard and having fun and doing it for her team."
The GMAA tournament trophy is just the first of several that the Rockets hope to bring home this season. They also want to repeat as O-K Green conference champions, Division 1 district champions, then play deep into the state tournament.
Most observers agree that R-P has the potential to go a long way.
R-P's Kyleigh Bilek takes a cut at a pitch. Photo/Jeremy Clark
But there are big challenges ahead at every level. State-ranked Byron Center has joined the O-K Green this year and will battle the Rockets for conference supremacy. The two tams will square off next week for several big games.
Grand Haven, which like R-P is honorable mention in the state rankings, will put up a fight at the district tournament level, and powers like Hudsonville and Byron Center could be opponents in regionals, if the Rockets make it that far.
Bayle, who has been building her team for this season for the past few years, said she welcomes the challenges because she wants the Rockets to play and beat the best.
"There are a lot of possibilities later on," the coach said. "It's not worth it if it's not earned, and we plan to do that. It makes it more fun to play teams that give us more competition.
"I think we are flowing real well as a team. We have confidence and we're trusting each other, and that makes all the difference. It already has and it will continued to do so."
R-P's Olivia Ambler gets ready to make a catch. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The Rockets took control right away in the first inning when Critchett hit a leadoff single and scored on an RBI single by Tessa Ross.
R-P extended its lead to 4-0 in the second inning when Olivia Ambler singled, Kenzie Jacobs drew a walk, then Critchett blasted a shot that reached the right field fence, scoring both baserunners and herself.
Coach Bayle actually tried to stop Critchett at third, but she figured she could make it home and she was correct.
"She wanted me to stop at three, but..." Critchett said with a smile.
The Rockets went up 5-0 in the third inning when Mady Snyder blasted a triple to deep center field, then scored two batters later when a pitch got past the Ravenna catcher.
R-P outfielder Mady Snyder tries to catch up to a well-hit ball. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Critchett was at it again in the fourth inning, bashing a pitch over the left field fence for a solo homer that gave the Rockets a 6-0 lead.
Ravenna broke the shutout with a run in the bottom of the fourth.
R-P added a run in the sixth inning when Madison Reichert singled and scored on an RBI single by Lainey McDaniel. The final run came in the seventh when Brook Ruchan walked and scored on an RBI double by Ambler.
McDaniel pitched the victory for Reeths-Puffer, scattering five hits with three walks, and getting lots of big outs despite a few errors from her fielders.