In a big week for Baldwinsville softball – and especially its pitching ace, Liz Campbell – it did not disappoint once it got on the field.
The Bees were 3-2 going into last Monday’s game against visiting Oswego, but proceeded to shut down the Buccaneers and, with timely offense in the early going, prevailed by a 7-0 margin.
They were 0-0 when, in the bottom of the second inning, B’ville got to Oswego pitcher Mackenzie King for four runs. Not content with that, the Bees tacked on two more runs in the third and a single run in the fifth to expand the margin.
Elizabeth Johns and Sarah Lalla each had two hits, with Johns scoring three of B’ville’s seven runs. Lalla, Sydney Carlucci, Maggie D’Eredita and Caryn Salce each crossed the plate, too.
But one run was all that Campbell needed. Deftly turning aside the Bucs’ hitters, Campbell gave up three hits and one walk, but recorded nine strikeouts, and B’ville’s defense committed just one error to prevent Oswego from building any sort of rally.
Two days later, Campbell signed her national letter of intent to attend Binghamton University. She celebrated on Thursday with another solid effort against Syracuse West as the Bees this time waited until the latter stages to take charge and prevail 8-2.
Campbell gave up a run in the top of the third as Syracuse West tied it, 1-1. But B’ville went back in front with a run in the fourth and broke things open with two runs in the fifth and a four-run rally in the sixth.
Danielle Sayler tripled and drove in three runs, with Caroline May also earning three RBIs. Carlucci and D’Eredita each had one RBI as May and D’Eredita scored two runs apiece. Campbell, though unable to get another shutout, still limited Syracuse East to three hits while striking out seven.
B’ville’s two high-profile games on Saturday, against defending Class A champion Jamesville-DeWitt and Class B power Solvay, got wiped out by the rain and cold temperatures. So it was idle until back-to-back trips to Central Square and West Genesee early this week, followed by a Thursday visit from Auburn.
