CENTRAL NEW YORK – At least through the early portion of the 2021 season, the biggest nemesis for area high school softball teams was not an opponent on the diamond, but gray skies and precipitation.
When it cleared up last Thursday, though, it was time for a local showdown between Marcellus and Westhill, and the game didn’t disappoint, with the Mustangs’ early production keying a 14-9 victory over the Warriors.
A three-run first inning had Marcellus in charge until Westhill struck for four runs in the top of the third. Unfazed by this, the Mustangs seized the lead for good by batting around in the bottom of the third and scoring seven times.
Two-run rallies in the fourth and sixth inning helped Marcellus brace against Westhill’s five-run seventh as Aubrey Fraher’s four hits included a home run and produced four RBIs.
Hannah Durand singled twice and drove in four runs, with Emma MacLachlan adding four hits and two RBIs as she scored three times. Madison Strait also had an RBI.
Westhill’s Hannah Schmitz singled, doubled and drove in three runs as Tori Militi added two hits and three RBIs. Sarah Balduzzi got two hits and an RBI.
Rain caused all kinds of postponements, but it stayed away long enough last Tuesday for Westhill to take on Phoenix as pitcher Alexa Korrie shut down the Firebirds in a 13-1 decision.
Just a freshman, Korrie surrendered a hit and four walks, but recorded 17 of her 21 outs via strikeouts as, at the plate, the Warriors saw Jaida Welch drive in four runs with her three hits. Schmitz, Bella Cassidy and Catherine Cottrell had two hits apiece.
While all this was going on, Jordan-Elbridge was off to a 2-1 start, having prevailedMay 1 against Weedsport in a 6-4 decision after a 13-3 defeat to Westhill.
Then the Eagles moved to 2-1 by bashing Phoenix 16-1 on Thursday, much of it a result from two outbursts at the plate as J-E torched the Firebirds for eight runs in the first inning, then put it away with a seven-run fourth inning.
Still winless, West Genesee looked last Friday to avenge a 9-6 defeat to Baldwinsville the previous week, only to struggle more in a 12-1 loss to the Bees.
Three runs in each of the first two innings put B’ville in control. The Wildcats’ lone tally came in the bottom of the sixth, Rachael Schakleton scoring that run after she singled.
Skaneateles started early last week with a 5-2 loss to Chittenango, only to rebound with a 17-0 romp over Hannibal where the Lakers scored 12 runs in the first two innings.
Solvay finally made its season debut against Christian Brothers Academy last Thursday afternoon, with the Bearcats overpowered by the Brothers in a 16-1 loss.
Other than a fifth-inning run, Solvay was kept quiet, held to two hits overall. CBA broke out with a seven-run first inning and eventually got 18 hits.
Bishop Ludden produced plenty of runs against Port Byron, yet still lost 11-9 to the Panthers.
