Maybe now it’s time for the Cazenovia softball team to be considered among the OHSL Liberty division title contenders.
The Lakers proved its worth Thursday against Homer, hanging on at the end for a 3-2 victory over the Trojans.
Homer arrived with a 5-1 record, but Cazenovia got to pitcher Jessica Rigg for a run in the first inning, then two more in the bottom of the fifth to seize a 3-0 lead. Abby Eschen’s double produced two RBIs, with Belle Hoagland also doubling.
Between them, pitchers Smith and Alyssa Boswell blanked Homer until the top of the seventh, when it scored twice and threatened to tie it before Smith recorded the final out. Combined, Boswell and Smith allowed just five hits.
Two days earlier, in a strong OHSL Liberty division opener, Cazenovia pounded out lots of offense in last Tuesday’s 16-4 victory over Skaneateles.
A four-run second inning put Cazenovia in control of this battle of Laker teams. By the fifth inning, the margin was 10-0, and when Skaneateles got on the board in the top of the sixth, Cazenovia answered with six runs to stretch out the margin.
Amid a 17-hit attack, Smith tripled and finished with three RBIs. Korena Fenton doubled and also drove in three runs, while Kara Stadler doubled twice and joined Hoagland with two RBIs apiece.
Boswell and Alissa Easterly drove in single runs, and Boswell also pitched, combining with Smith on a one-hitter.
