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In the championship battle against the Falcons, the game was scoreless heading into the third when Freeland rallied with two outs. The Falcons got back-to-back bases hits to put runners on first and second, when a controversial play at the plate sparked a three-run rally.

On Freeland's third straight single, there was a play at the plate and while it appeared the Falcon's runner missed the plate and USA catcher Carly Treiber attempted a tag, the runner was still called safe.

"The call was an obstruction call and it is an iffy one," coach Larry Houthoofd explained.

"My catcher was going up to receive the ball; to get the ball she had to go off the line a little bit and they ran into each other. The ball was there at the same time they collided or otherwise she doesn't catch the ball," Houthoofd added. "I don't agree with the call, but that is what we had to go by."

The Patriots cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom half of the inning, as Treiber was safe on a two base error with two outs and the courtesy runner scored when Dani Gremel hit a dribbler on the infield and was safe at first when the fielder pulled their foot off the bag. "We always run girls from second to home on those plays," Houthoofd said. "We knew were going to have to scrap runs with (Jo) Briggs on the mound."

He added, "She is one of the best location pitchers with a change-up that hurts a lot of team. She makes kids look silly up there at the plate."

"It is hard to hit pitching like that," Houthoofd explained.

But that is what USA did in the bottom of the fifth when they scratched out three runs to take the 4-3 edge. Katie Schaus led off the inning with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Treiber drove in the first run for the Patriots with an RBI triple. Later in the inning with two outs, USA pitcher Marissa Lemere walked and stole second, giving the Patriots runners at second and third.

Jillian Williamson proceeded to drive in a run on an infield hit and on a bad throw at first, the runner from second scored, giving USA a one run advantage.

Houthoofd complimented his two courtesy runners, Jenny Williamson and Brittany Gruehn, who scored the final two runs of the innings. "They do a really good job," he said. "It is those types of players that win championships."

With the come-from-behind win, the Patriots advanced to yesterday's quarterfinals against Birch Run at SVSU.

A victory against BR would set up a possible match-up between last year's state champions as D3 champion USA could potentially face D4 champion Allen Park Cabrini, who beat the Patriots 1-0 earlier this season.

While USA has a tough road to a potential third straight state title, anything less than a pair of wins in Battle Creek will be seen as a disappointment by this team and the coaching staff.

"For our team, anything but winning a state championship would be a very big disappointment," Houthoofd said.

He added, "It is a unique thing, because our goals are so high, it is tough to stay on top of that. And mentally I think that has worn on these kids a little bit, because everyone wants to beat USA."

"I like the challenge, but it gets tiresome over the season, because you have to bring your 'A' game each day."

With a win yesterday, the Patriots would advance to the semifinals at Bailey Park in Battle Creek, where they would play Friday in the 10:30 a.m. game. If USA makes the finals, they will play Saturday at 11 a.m.