Even with the improvement it has shown in 2010, the Skaneateles softball team could not translate it into a Section III Class B playoff appearance.

A symbol of that improvement — and that frustration — was last Tuesday’s wild 11-10 loss to Marcellus, a game where the Lakers blew a big lead, made a tremendous comeback — and still couldn’t finish in front.

Skaneateles hit first, with four runs in the first inning. A fourth-inning tally made it 5-0, but in the bottom of the fourth Marcellus hit back with seven runs on seven hits (two of them by Sophie Jackson) to move out in front.

By the time they reached the seventh, the Lakers trailed 9-5, three outs from defeat. But with a series of clutch hits, Skanetaeles caught up, then moved ahead with a five-run outburst, and suddenly it had a 10-9 lead.

Now all Alyssa Stevens had to do was get those last outs in the bottom of the seventh. Marcellus did not cooperate, tying it again, then winning it as Kassie Lema’s single brought home Molly MacLachlan.

Through the chaos, the Lakers earned 13 hits, with Jackie Leslie, Chelsea Hamilton and Carrie Hinchman each getting three hits. Hinchman and Leslie earned two RBIs apiece, with

Emily Call, Julianna Augustine and Emylie Garcia each driving in one run. Stevens scored two runs, as did Hamilton, Augustine and Garcia. Tabby McBride led Marcellus with a double and three RBIs.

The Lakers also had a chance to be a spoiler during the last week of the season, playing both of the leaders in the OHSL Liberty division — Westhill and Cazenovia.

First, Skaneateles took its shot at Westhill last Monday, but lost 13-2, watching as the Warriors roared out to an 11-0 lead through three innings before the Lakers could even get on the board.

Erica Tardiff would drive in runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but Westhill had too much — especially Kelly Mascari, who put together a home run, two doubles and six RBIs before it was done.

Two days later, Skaneateles faced Cazenovia and did better on the offensive side, but still lost a 12-6 decision.

Single runs were traded early, but Cazenovia kept it up, building a 4-2 edge before hurting Skaneateles in the fifth with a six-run outburst that provided the entire winning margin.

Battling to the end, Skaneatlees earned 10 hits. Call went three-for-four, with Tardiff contributing two hits and three RBIs. Garcia added two hits, scored twice and earned an RBI as Kara Stadler led Cazenovia with three hits and three runs scored.

In Friday’s finale against Jordan-Elbridge, the Lakers again suffered a one-run defeat as the Eagles prevailed by a score of 5-4.

Trailing by 3-1 and 4-2 early in the game, Skaneateles inched back by scoring single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to notch a 4-4 tie, only to have J-E to move back in front in the seventh and hang on.

Hamilton scored twice and finished with a pair of RBIs, while Call and Garcia also scored. Liz Caspari led the Eagles with two hits and two RBIs.