CENTRAL NEW YORK – Now accustomed to playing on its all-weather field, the Cazenovia softball team began its 2025 season determined to improve upon last year’s 7-8 mark.
And the earliest indication is that the Lakers could do this, especially if it hits like it did in last Thursday’s season opener when it took out Mexico by a 14-3 margin.
This was steady production on Cazenovia’s part, from a three-run first inning to a four-run third plus three-run outbursts in both the fourth and fifth innings to expand the lead to double digits.
Freshman Irie Gallerani went three-for-four at the plate, scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. Sophia Wilmot singled, doubled and got two RBIs, a total matched by Claire Vaccaro as single RBIs went to Madison Weeks and Gianna Comino.
Not only did Gallerani impress with her bat, she also pitched well, tossing a complete game which included 14 strikeouts to overcome Mexico’s five hits and three walks.
Good as this was, it crashed a bit for Cazenovia on Friday as it ran into defending sectional and regional Class B champion Marcellus, who shut out the Lakers 12-0.
Through her five innings of work Mustangs eighth-grader Kendall LaMarche did not surrender a hit, striking out nine. Wilmot took the loss as Janzen Long got three RBIs to pace Marcellus at the plate.
This happened as Chittenango, who was 14-4 a a season ago, opened its season against visiting Fayetteville-Manlius, who proved too much for the Bears to handle in an 8-3 defeat.
F-M took charge with two-run rallies in the first and third innings and got away for good with four more runs in the top of the sixth as Avilene Terry’s pair of hits led to three RBIs.
Chittenango picked up 11 hits from nine different batters, with only Alivia Cavotta and Julia Spencer getting to two hits. Makenna Palko’s single drove in two runs and Lauren Machan added an RBI.
Like with Cazenovia, the Bears would emerge with an opening-week split, only Chittenango’s win came in the latter part on Friday as it turned back Central Square 7-3.
A three-run second inning put the Bears in front, but the Redhawks rallied and pulled even, 3-3, with a single run in the fourth and two more in the sixth.
But when Chittenango got four runs in the top of the seventh off Caytlin Redeye, it got the win as Makenna Palko earned three RBIs. Cavotta and Lauren Machan also drove in runs as Julia Spencer pitched 5 1/3 solid innings with Machan working in relief.
