While already showing plenty of growth this spring, the Fayetteville-Manlius softball team knew that it would not really arrive until it played – and beat – more established programs.
And few are as established as Liverpool, which made the Hornets’ 15-9 victory over the Warriors last Monday afternoon particularly satisfying.
Not since 2007, when head coach Kendall Bright was still a player, had F-M beat Liverpool, and they were outscored 38-3 the three times they met a season ago.
But this time the Hornets scored twice in the first inning and erupted for eight runs in the top of the second, going in front 10-1, and after Liverpool slowly caught up and got within two, 10-8, F-M scored five times in the top of the seventh to seal it.
Everyone at the top of the lineup contributed, from Sophie Woodridge getting three hits and four RBIs to Paige Murphy and Maya McKenzie hitting home runs as Lily Fish and Emily Gryczka also had three-hit outings.
McKenzie drove in three runs as Murphy, Fish and Gryczka notched two RBIs apiece. Liverpool lost despite four hits from Sophia D’Arcangelis and three RBIs apiece from Helen Nash and Alicia Nash.
Back home Wednesday to face West Genesee, F-M maintained the momentum, surrendering a late lead, but recovering well to defeat the Wildcats 9-6.
Four runs in the first inning got the Hornets in front, and it still had that advantage until WG scored four times in the top of the sixth off Woodridge to pull even, 6-6.
Demonstrating its poise, F-M countered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to win it. Murphy doubled and drove in two runs, with Gracie Bishop adding a double and RBI. Fish scored three runs as she, along with Gryczka and Annaliese OuYang, each gained a pair of hits.
Christian Brothers Academy got back on the field Thursday afternoon, traveling to Jordan-Elbridge and working hard for a 3-2 victory over the Eagles to improve its overall record to 7-3 ahead of games this week against Hannibal and Marcellus.
Bishop Grimes lost, 10-0, to Pulaski last Tuesday, unable to get a run despite many opportunities as Brianna Bowles banged out a pair of hits, with Becca Vinciquerra adding a hit and walk.
A 12-2 defeat to Tully followed on Thursday, with both of Grimes’ runs earned in the bottom of the sixth as Bowles and Natalie Musolino scored them. Jenna Hamelinck led the Black Knights with three hits and three runs scored.
