Elba's annual scholarship fund game on Tuesday was also a fundraiser for the family of Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello.
Proceeds were split between the scholarship fund and for support of the family.
Sanfratello died in the line of duty while trying to arrest two individuals at Batavia Downs on March 10.
Photos by Debra Reilly.
Press Release:
Notre Dame senior Kaitlyn Landers signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career at Keuka College today at Notre Dame High School.
Joining her for this signing were her parents, Matt and Melissa Landers; brother, Benjamin Landers; head softball coach, Otis Thomas; assistant coach, Mikey Rapone; and Notre Dame Athletic Director Mike Rapone.
Landers was a varsity call-up in her 7th-grade season and has been a mainstay with the team ever since.
Career highlights while playing for the Lady Irish include:
- Genesee Region All-Star – 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024
- NYS Class D All-State 2nd Team – 2021
- NYS Class D All-State 3rd Team - 2023
- Section V Class D1 Sectional All-Tournament Team – 2019 (as a 7th grader)
- Member of Section V Class D1 Sectional Championship Team – 2023
- Team Co-Captain – 2024
- Genesee Region Exceptional Senior All-Star
Lander's favorite memory of playing softball at Notre Dame was winning a sectional championship in 2023.
Along with playing for the Lady Irish, Kaitlyn has played 8 years of travel softball, where she currently plays for Coach Mruczek’s 18u Edge team, and has played the last 11 summers for her local Batavia Stingers team.
In addition to playing softball, Kaitlyn was a member of the Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Indoor Track, and Varsity Outdoor Track teams at Notre Dame. Kaitlyn plans to major either in Social Work, Psychology, or Education at Keuka College.
Press release:
Despite trailing by as many as four runs, Alexander rallied to top Pavilion 10-9 on Monday.
Alexander got on the board in the first inning after a steal of home scored one run. Pavilion jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first when Trilly Coots grounded out, scoring one run, and Alaina Rowe singled, scoring two runs taking a 3-1 lead.
Pavilion added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after the Trojans committed an error, and Bryleigh Burns grounded into a fielder’s choice to score a run making it 6-2.
Alexander tied the game in the top of the fifth thanks to a fielder's choice by Emily Pietrzykowski, a single by Melissa Sawyer, a fielder's choice by Faith Goodenbury, and a fielder’s choice by Melanie Bump.
In the bottom of the sixth, Pavilion broke up the tie when Pietrzykowski induced EllaTillotson to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored. Then a single by Courtney Gurbacki followed to extend the Pavilion lead 8-6.
With three outs to go and trailing by two, Alexander dug deep and fought hard to tie the game in the top of the seventh at 8 apiece.
The game remained tied until Alexander captured the lead, 10-8, in the top of the tenth after Ella Felski drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and Carley Shepard doubled in a run.
In the bottom of the 10th, Strathearn drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, cutting the lead to one for Alexander.
Boyce was able to strike out power-hitter Kylie Conway and induce Tillotson to pop out too short before walking the bases loaded with two outs. Finally, Boyce got Gurbacki to pop out and seal the win in dramatic fashion.
Senior Madison Boyce earned the win for the Trojans. The reliever allowed one hit and one run (zero earned) over four innings, striking out five and walking two. Boyce also collected her 200th career strikeout during the contest.
Gurbacki took the loss for Pavilion. The starting pitcher went 10 innings, surrendering 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits, striking out nine and walking eight. The hurler battled hard, tossing 180 pitches on the day.
Pietrzykowski started in the circle for Alexander. The righty gave up seven hits and eight runs (three earned) over six innings, striking out eight and only walking three.
Melissa Sawyer, Madison Boyce, and Ava Yax each collected two hits for Alexander. Felski, Sawyer, Shepard, Goodenbury, Boyce, Pietrzykowski, and Bump each drove in one run for Alexander. Alexander had patience at the plate, collecting eight walks for the game. Sawyer and Boyce led the team with two free passes each. Boyce and Yax each stole multiple bases for Alexander.
Coots and Gurbacki were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Pavilion. Rowe and Strathearn each drove in two runs for Pavilion. Coots paced Pavilion with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, piling up five walks for the game. Gurbacki stole two bases. Pavilion also turned two double plays in the game.
"I didn’t think anything would top the intensity of last year’s quarterfinal game we had against Oakfield, but I was wrong," said Coach John Goodenbury.
This was a knock-down-drag-out fight. I have a ton of respect for those Pavilion girls. They fought like champions. We had to earn this one against a well-balanced team. The crowd was either standing, pacing, or sitting on the edge of their seats for the final four innings tonight. Unfortunately, in a game like this, there had to be a winner and a loser, and we fought for the winning run."Emily pitched another fantastic game, and Madison came in to support her in the 7th. Boyce was not going to be denied when she took the circle and to see her fight was priceless to me. She had the world on her shoulders in those moments, and she delivered with the help of her team. Simply put, Emily kept us in the game, and Madison closed it out. For me personally, this was bitter-sweet. I coached Gurbacki, Burns and Conway of the Pavilion girls on my EDGE 16U travel softball team last summer, and I still coach Washburn on my team this year. It’s very hard for me to see their school ball dreams end this year, but I am also proud and happy for my Alexander girls. It’s the price I have to pay, I guess, but I don’t like that part. We are excited to turn our attention to the C2 top seed Dundee-Bradford this Thursday."
Photos by Makenna Boyce.
Caitlin Ryan tossed a complete-game shutout over Lyrons for Oakfield-Alabama on Monday, leading the Hornets to an 11-0 win in the Class C1 softball quarterfinal.
Ryan surrendered four hits, and K'd 10 batters. She was also 2-3 at the plate with a double, a home run and two RBIs.
"I'm really proud of how my team battled against a good Lyons team today," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "We hit the ball well and put a ton of balls in play. We hit up and down the lineup today which is always a good sign this time of year. "
Next up in the semifinals for #4 seed O-A is #1 seed Bloomfield on Thursday. Time and location are TBA.
Pictures courtesy of Jordyn Tobolski
Behind a no-hitter tossed by Giana Mruczek and a 16-run attack, the #7 seed Batavia Blue Devils upset #2 seed School of the Arts in the Class A softball quarterfinal on Monday.
The final score was 16-0.
Mruczek recorded 15 strikeouts, breaking the school's single-season strikeout record of 152. She has 159 for 2024 so far.
The Blue Devils scored in every inning except the 6th.
Stats:
Batavia faces Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Class A semifinal game on Thursday, time and location TBA.
Elba beat CG Finney 9-7 on Sunday in a first-round Section V playoff game in softball.
Maddie Hall was 2-4, two RBIs and a run scored. Brea Smith was 2-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Madison Marks was 2-3 with a double. Kaelin Ball was 2-4 with an RBI. Lydia Ross was 2-4 with a triple and run scored.
Smith was the winning pitcher, giving up three hits, two walks, and one earned run. She fanned six.
Photos by Kristin Smith.
Press release:
The #2 seed Lady Irish leaned on ace pitcher Loretta Sorochty on Saturday afternoon at GCC to come away with the 3-0 victory over 15-seeded Andover-Whitesville.
Sorochty pitched a complete game one-hitter, allowing no runs and striking out 17 batters. Makaila Brewster took the loss in the circle for Andover-Whitesville, going 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) and striking out 1.
Offensively for the Lady Irish, Sofia Falleti led the way with 2 hits (1 double), while Emma Sisson, Hannah Tenney and Olivia Gillard each had a hit. Sisson's hit was a triple, and she scored a run, and Tenney's base hit resulted in an RBI. Katie Landers had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 4th following Sisson's triple, which scored the game's first run and proved to be all Sorochty would need for run support. Ava Grace accounted for the lone base hit for Andover-Whitesville, with a blooper base hit over second base.
"It's good to get this first sectional win behind us, even if it wasn't as pretty as we would have liked," said Coach Otis Thomas. "We put the bat on the ball, but give credit to Andover-Whitesville for making the plays in the field to keep the score close. Loretta gave us another strong outing in the circle, and hopefully, we can give her a little more run support next time. We look forward to the next game coming up on Tuesday."
Press release:
Both teams were strong in the circle on Friday, but the Alexander Trojans defeated York 2-1.
Madison Boyce started the game on Friday before the game was cut short because of rain.
Boyce picked up Saturday morning, where she left off the day before and earned the win for Alexander, while Emily Pietrzykowski had Boyce’s back and nailed down the save.
York drew first blood in the contest when they scored on a wild pitch in the top of the first. Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Melissa Sawyer put one in the left-center gap for a double before she advanced to 3rd on a past ball. Sawyer scored on a fielder’s choice to second hit by Melanie Bump to tie the game at 1.
Alexander didn't take the lead until the 5th inning when Ava Yax singled scoring Kaylin Dinkins, who was pinch running for Brianna Neyman after she landed a one-out single.
The Alexander defense tightened up to close the door on York and advance to the second round on Tuesday, where they will travel to Pavilion for a 5 p.m. semifinal game.
Sophomore Ava Yax set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Alexander with two hits in three at-bats, a stolen base, and an RBI. Boyce, Neyman, and Sawyer all had hits on the day.
Madison Boyce earned the win for the Trojans. Boyce only gave up one hit and one run (zero earned) over five innings, striking out seven and walking six. Pietrzykowski only surrendered two hits while striking out two to earn the save.
"We learned tonight that we never want to be a part of another weather-suspended game ever again," said Coach John Goodenbury. "We let in an unearned run in the first inning and had to stew on it for the night as the game was suspended heading into the 3rd inning. In a ball game, an offense can start to wear down a pitcher with quality at-bats, but this unique circumstance allowed both teams to pitch two innings and then get the night off to reset for the next day when play resumed. This takes away the nuances of the game, and we had to focus on a fresh pitcher who only had to go 5 innings after a full night's rest. We had to rely on our girls adjusting in the box to her after seeing her once the day before. That is a ton of pressure for our girls, but they dealt with it, and we are moving on. It wasn’t our finest game, but we got the win to stay alive, and we are now focused on Pavilion for Monday. Today was a total team effort and we know Pavilion is a very good team this year so we are not taking this next match lightly, it’s do-or-die time. I would like to give a special thank you to our AD Eric Romesser and the outstanding Alexander maintenance crew for working magic to get our field ready after the pounding rain it took yesterday."
Submitted photos.
Giana Mruczek, a senior at Batavia High School, recorded her 450th career strikeout on Wednesday against Pittsford-Mendon.
With 13ks in the game, she now has 462 career strikeouts.
The Blue Devils lost the game 5-0.
Press release:
Norte Dame ace pitcher Loretta Sorochty finished her regular season career in style on Wednesday, reaching the 600 career strikeout mark in the second inning of tonight's game, and then went on to set a new ND record for strikeouts in a game with 20.
Sorochty pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout. In addition to striking out 20 hitters, she assisted on the only other out in the game by throwing out a batter in the 7th inning who bunted to her.
Offensively for the Lady Irish, Sorochty, Emma Sisson, Mia Treleaven and Gianna Falleti each had 2 hits. Sorochty had a triple, scored three runs and added two RBIs; Sisson scored two runs and had three RBIs. Treleaven scored a run and added an RBI, and Falleti scored a run and added an RBI. In addition, Katie Landers, Hannah Tenney, Olivia Gillard and Amelia Sorochty each added base hits.
Notre Dame finishes the regular season at 15-3 and clinches the #2 seed in Class D. They also finish the regular season with a perfect record in the Genesee Region at 12-0 and won the Genesee Region Division title.
Submitted photos.
Press release:
Alexander opened the scoring in the top of the first, putting up four runs.
Elba fired back in the bottom of the frame and cut the lead to 4-3 but a tag up by Ava Yax extended the Trojans lead to 5-3 in the top of the second inning.
The Trojans committed an error, which helped Elba tie the game at five in the bottom of the fifth.
The contest remained a deadlock until Alexander flipped the game on its head in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits to take a 10-5 lead.
Ava Yax, Madison Boyce, Melissa Sawyer, Faith Goodenbury, Lilly Szymkowiak, and Carley Shepard all had multi-hit games for the Trojans. Goodenbury and Szymkowiak both knocked doubles, while Emily Pietrzykowski crushed a triple during the contest. Pietrzykowski and Szymkowiak both had 3 RBIs on the day.
Senior slugger Madison Boyce reached her 100th Varsity hit during her first at-bat of the game.
Pietrzykowski earned the win for the Alexander Trojans. The junior allowed seven hits and five runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two.
"This was an exciting game today, and we wanted this one to keep us in tight seeding contention for sectionals," said Coach John Goodenbury. "The umps were patient and let a front blow through that delayed our start so we could get their senior recognition game in. Elba girls are fighters; they won’t give you an inch; I really like what Coach Dean has done with his team this year. Elba is young but has improved substantially since last season. For us, we played a solid team game on both sides of the ball, and everyone contributed to this one. Emily had trouble with her chang-up and the humidity wasn’t helping, so it was nice to see her overcome that and pitch a solid game."
Submitted photos.
Elba beat Kendall 11 to 3 in softball on Monday.
Brea Smith was 4-4 at the plate with three singles and a double, along with six RBIs and a run scored. She also pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and no walks.
Lydia Ross was 3-5, with three runs scored, an RBI and four stolen bases.
Ava Chatt was 2-4 with two runs scored.
Danielle Offhaus had a triple for Kendall.
Photos by Kimberly Ball
On Wednesday a little rain couldn't stop the Pembroke community from coming out and honoring one of its own with one of the highest honors for a coach.
Ron Funke, retired Pembroke teacher and Varsity Softball coach, was honored with Funke Field and a dedication ceremony.
More than 100 community members, alumni, and teachers came out to honor Funke before the Lady Dragons' home game against Oakfield-Alabama. The Pembroke Marching Band also entertained the crowd.
Arron Brown, a sixth-grade teacher and president of the Pembroke Teachers Federation began the ceremony and spoke "Many of us had the pleasure and the privilege to coach with Ron. What he shared during long bus rides or early morning practices helped us all become better coaches, educators, and people. Those conversations mean so much to so many of us."
Superintendent Matthew Calderon and John Cima, Board of Education president, both spoke about Ron's legacy and commitment to the Pembroke community.
"I would have never been able to do this alone. I would like to thank Bruce Phalzer, Ken Maurer, JC Kabel, and Al Miano," Funke said. "I have many great memories and have all the former Lady Dragons to thank for that."
After the unveiling of the official Funke Field sign, all past and current Lady Dragon softball players were asked to gather around the pitcher's mound for the first pitch of the game.
Funke threw the first pitch to Jessica Edwards, who is a Pembroke graduate, a former Lady Dragon softball player, and a Board of Education member.
The umpires then officially ejected Funke from the game. Everyone in attendance laughed. Calderon congratulated Funke.
Junior right-hander Emily Pietrzykowski spun a gem for Alexander in softball on Thursday, going the distance and surrendering only one hit in a 5-0 shutout over Perry.
Sophomore Ava Yax led the Trojans at the plate, going 2-2 with an RBI, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.
Pietrzykowski was 1-2 with a double, a walk, and a run scored and a stolen base.
Melissa Sawyer, Melanie Bump and Ella Felski all landed singles on the day.
"This was a bit of a pitcher’s duel today, and both girls pitched very well," said Coach John Goodenbury. "Emily really had her changeup working great and kept their hitters off-balance in the box. Our girls also played a very solid game on defense to back her up. I feel like we turned a corner after a tough 1-3 loss to Avon on April 23. Since then we have gone 7-1 and have outscored our opponents 94-17. Today, Perry showed us their ability to put the ball in play, and I am sure they will be a tough matchup for anyone moving forward. We look forward to a difficult 5 p.m. matchup with Notre Dame on Friday at GCC."
Submitted photos
Press release:
Sophomore Mia Treleaven got the start in the circle for the Lady Irish tonight and pitched a gem, going seven innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs (0 earned) and striking out 9 batters while only walking one.
Brea Smith took the loss for Elba, pitching 6 innings, giving up 11 hits, 10 runs (7 earned) and striking out 1 batter and walking two.
Leading the way offensively for the Lady Irish were Emma Sisson, Katie Landers and Anna Panepento, each contributing 2 hits. Sisson also added a run scored and an RBI, Landers had a double, runs scored and an RBI, and Panepento scored 2 runs. Loretta Sorochty, Mia Treleaven, Sofia Falleti, Amelia Sorochty and Olivia Gillard each contributed hits. L. Sorochty had a run scored, and an RBI, Treleaven had a double and 2 RBIs, A. Sorochty added a run and 2 RBIs and 7th grader Gillard added a double, a run scored and 2 RBIs, along with drawing a walk.
For the Lady Lancers, Smith and Thompson each had a base hit, and Thompson drove in 2 RBIs.
The win moves the Lady Irish to 13-2 on the season and drops Elba to 7-7.
To view or purchase photos, click here.
Press release:
Sophomore pitcher Amelia Sorochty got the start on the mound for the Lady Irish and picked up the 4-2 win over Kendall on Tuesday in Kendall.
Sorochty went 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and struck out 8 batters. Big sister Loretta Sorochty came in for the save in the 7th inning, striking out the side. Kendall pitcher Danielle Offhaus went the distance, pitching 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs (2 earned) and striking out 4 batters.
Mia Treleaven led the way offensively for ND, collecting 3 doubles and scoring a run. Emma Sisson had a triple and 3 RBIs, Sofia Falleti had a hit, run scored, and RBI and Hannah Tenney had the other Lady Irish base hit. Katie Landers scored 2 runs, and Amelia Sorochty drew 3 walks.
Alea Barrett led Kendall with three base hits. Isabella D'Agostino, Maggie Zastrow, Teagan Shaw and Makaila Abrams each had hits for Kendall. D'Agostino had an RBI, Zastrow had an RBI, Shaw scored a run, and Abrams hit a double.
The win moves the Lady Irish to 12-2 on the season, with a matchup against Elba at GCC on Wednesday
Wearing pink uniform T-shirts, the Batavia Blue Devils "Struck Out" on Friday to raise $1,900 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.
The softball team also beat Greece 8-2.
Giana Mruczek had Greece's hitters striking out plenty of times, recording nine whiffs and giving up only four hits.
Offensively:
Submitted photos.
Notre Dame pitcher Loretta Sorochty picked up right where she left off after Thursday's no-hitter over Elba by pitching a 5-inning no-hitter against Kendall on Friday at Genesee Community College.
Sorochty accounted for all 15 outs with 15 strike outs, only allowing three base runners via walks.
Offensively for ND, Loretta helped her cause with 3 hits (including a double and single), 1 run scored and 4 RBIs. Katie Landers and Sofia Falleti each had 2 hits for the Lady Irish, with Katie adding a double, 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a walk, and Falleti scoring 1 run and adding 3 RBIs. Mia Treleaven and Hannah Tenney each contributed a hit, with Tenney scoring 2 runs and adding an RBI. Amelia Sorochty drew 3 walks and came around to score each time.
Press release:
Alexander trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the third on Thursday when Emily Pietrzykowski tied the game with a 2-run homer to right center.
Melanie Bump knocked in the go-ahead run, but the Trojans never looked back.
Carley Shepard, Ella Felski and Faith Goodenbury lead the Trojans in the batter’s box with hits, each of them finishing the day going 3-for-4 at the plate.
Melissa Sawyer, Ava Yax, Melanie Bump, and Brianna Neyman all finished the day with 2-hit performances.
Senior Madison Boyce pitched for Alexander, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks, and 3 earned runs with 7 strikeouts in 6 innings.
For Pembroke, Reagan Schneider, Aleena Maynard, Taylor Bischoff, Peyton Liss and Ashley Johnson all had singles on the day.
It was a picture-perfect evening to play softball, and we took advantage of it," said Alexander Coach John Goodenberry. "Jen is doing a good job coaching Pembroke, but this one just went our way today. Their catcher (Schneider) has a rifle for an arm, and if you’re not paying attention to the corners, she’s not afraid to let you know it. I like that. Madison didn’t have her best stuff today, but isn’t that how life goes? She still tossed a good game, and our girls came through on offense, putting up 21 hits to support her."
Submitted photos.
Press release:
Notre Dame won its eighth straight game on Thursday, downing league rival Elba 13-2.
The Irish's record improves to 8-1 with the victory.
Ace, Loretta Sorochty pitched a complete game no-hitter, with 0 earned runs, two walks allowed and striking out 17 batters.
Offensively for the Lady Irish, Amelia Sorochty had 3 hits, 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Cayleigh Havens, Katie Landers and Mia Treleaven each had 2 hits apiece. Havens also had 2 runs scored, and an RBI, Landers scored 3 runs and added an RBI, and Treleaven had a double, 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. Emma Sisson, Sofia Falleti and Anna Panepento each contributed a hit.
"I'm happy with the overall performance of the team tonight, we hit pretty well, ran the bases well and got another strong performance from our ace pitcher," said Coach Otis Thomas. "It's always nice to see one of our pitchers get a no-hitter. We are on a bit of a roll now and hope we can continue it with three league games over the next couple of days."
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