Throughout the last six years, the two best softball programs in Oakland County year in and year out have been Troy and Lakeland. Each team has advanced to the state quarterfinals four years in a row and each team has been to Battle Creek for the state's final four since 2003, with Lakeland about to make its fourth trip to Cereal City since 2005.
The two teams met in the state quarterfinals in 2005 and 2007, but have never run into each other in Battle Creek.
That will change on Friday when Lakeland and Troy meet in a Division 1 state semifinal at 10:30 a.m. at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.
There simply couldn't be better dream softball semifinal in Kosmo's eyes. The game pits two of the state's best and most charismatic coaches, Joe Alsup of Lakeland and Tom Calnen of Troy, two teams that can score runs in a variety of ways and two pitchers that can shut the opponent down, Lakeland's Michelle Stiltner and Troy's Jordan Wheatley.
It's too bad the game is in the morning, because this is a game worth being on a prime time stage under the lights.
The best part is that it guarantees that there will be an Oakland County team playing in the Division 1 state final on Saturday morning.
It should be a great one, and Kosmo can't wait to find out what happens with it.