EAST SYRACUSE – For four long years, the Jamesville-DeWitt had to wait to get back to the top of the Section III Class A ranks.
Granted, one season, in 2020, was lost due to COVID-19, but each of the last two seasons for the Red Rams ended short of the sectional crowns it had won six times in an eight-year stretch from 2012 to 2019.
But in 2023, J-D won it all again, completing an impressive run through the sectional tournament with a 6-2 victory over Central Square in Tuesday’s title game at Carrier Park.
One key aspect to this run was not taking any opponent or situation for granted. True, the Rams had beaten Central Square twice in the regular season, but they were 7-4 and 3-2 decisions, far from easy.
What was more, the Redhawks had upended defending champion New Hartford in the May 27 semifinals, so it arrived with momentum and plenty of confidence.
J-D did get in front with a run in the bottom of the first inning before Central Square pulled even, 1-1, in the top of the third.
Then, in the bottom of the third, the Rams scored twice and grabbed the lead for good, nearly getting more before Redhawks pitcher Caitlyn Redeye struck out the side with the bases loaded, ultimately finishing with 12 on the day.
Central Square closed to 3-2 in the top of the fourth but, again, J-D answered it, putting across single tallies in the fourth, fifth and sixth to provide a cushion for pitcher Kaira McMahon, who would pitch a complete game and limit the Redhawks to five hits.
Emily Bulone continued her season-long tear at the plate, going three-for-four with a double and two RBIs. Savannah Schnorr and Amanda Aitken each got two hits and combined to score five of the Rams’ six runs as McMahon and Hannah Trevisani also drove in runs.
Now J-D turned its attention to the state tournament. With just one day of rest, the Rams returned to Carrier Park to face Section II champion Troy in the regional round – and ran into an opponent that proved too difficult to tame.
The Flying Horses prevailed 9-0, with the matter all but decided in the top of the first inning. With two out and two runners in scoring position, Troy got both runs home when a potential third out was dropped at first base.
That ignited a rally where the Flying Horses got two more runs on a single and an additional two runs on a throwing error, and before the Rams could settle down, it trailed 6-0.
And that was plenty for Troy’s senior pitching ace, Olivia DeCitise. The left-hander, who has more than 750 career strikeouts and led the Flying Horses to the state final four a year ago, would record 12 strikeouts here and only allow one hit, by Sophia Zoghby, out of the infield.
Troy added three more runs in the seventh and would again reach the state semifinals. J-D finished at 18-4 and returns everyone except senior Kaitlyn Bray to its lineup in 2024.
