softball

Oakfield-Alabama’s softball season ended Friday with a 5-0 loss to Bolivar-Richburg in the Section V Class C final.

Bolivar-Richburg scored single runs in the second and third innings, then added three in the fifth. Oakfield-Alabama managed four hits but could not push a run across.

Chloe Lamb led Oakfield-Alabama at the plate, going 2-for-3. Piper Hyde finished 1-for-3, and Allison Williams added a hit and a walk.

Savannah Durham pitched all seven innings for Oakfield-Alabama, allowing nine hits, two walks, and one earned run while striking out eight.

Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf said, “Tough day for us, especially defensively, but I can’t say enough about my team and the season they had. 16-3, GR Co-Champions and a sectional final. A great season for sure. This one will sting for a while, but hats off to BR. Their pitcher, Whiting, kept us off balance all day. We say goodbye and good luck to our four seniors, but with eight starters who are 9th or 10th graders, we will be back for sure. I am incredibly proud of this group.”

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski.

Oakfield-Alabama advanced to the Class C2 softball championship with a 9-0 win over Genesee Valley/Belfast. 

The Hornets broke through with five runs in the third inning and added three more in the fourth to take control of the game.

Piper Hyde led the offense with three hits in four at-bats. Allison Williams went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Raine Denny was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Chloe Lamb drove in a run, while Savannah Durham and Rylee Denny each collected a hit.

Savannah Durham pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and no earned runs while striking out 15.

“Just a great win for our team," said coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "We got contributions up and down the line and once again. We were able to get our runners home once they got into scoring position. Allie and Raine had huge RBI hits for us in the 3rd and 4th innings that allowed us to extend our lead. ,Savannah was outstanding on the mound once again and we were solid defensively behind her. We are looking forward to the opportunity to play for a Sectional championship on Saturday.”

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Oakfield-Alabama earned a spot in the Section V Class C2 semifinals Tuesday with an 8-2 win over Alexander.

Piper Hyde went 4-for-4 with a triple to lead the Lady Hornets at the plate. Raine Denny drove in four runs, including a triple, while Chloe Lamb added three hits and two RBIs. Allison Harkness finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Ysa Schrauger and Allie Williams each added a hit.

Savannah Durham pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out five.

“We played well defensively and cashed in our runners when we got them into scoring position,” OA coach Jeff Schlagenhauf said. “This is a great opportunity for these girls to move on to the semifinals.”

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

The Alexander Lady Trojans surged to a 24-5 victory over Clyde-Savannah in the opening round of sectionals Saturday in Livonia.

Alexander’s offense produced 16 hits, led by Melissa Sawyer, who went 3-for-5 with a triple, a three-run home run, and six RBI. 

Emily Pietrzykowski added two home runs and three RBI, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Faith Goodenbury contributed a 3-for-5 day with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.

The Trojans jumped ahead 3-1 in the first inning, then broke the game open with nine runs in the second and seven more in the third. 

Melanie Bump went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Paige Morton was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, three runs, a walk, and two stolen bases. Ava Yax reached base five times, going 1-for-1 with five runs, an RBI, four walks, and a stolen base.

On the mound, Pietrzykowski threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 14 and walking 11. Despite not allowing a hit, Clyde-Savannah scored five runs, taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues.

Coach John Goodenbury said, “This was a strong opening round for our girls in sectionals. Emily threw an impressive five-inning no-hitter despite challenging conditions with wind, rain, and cold temperatures affecting her control. She battled through walks early on while trying to stay warm and find her rhythm. 

"Sawyer is continuing to heat up nicely after overcoming a midseason slump, and Goodenbury is right there with her, swinging the bat well. 

With today’s harsh conditions, steady rain, wind, and a real feel of just 37 degrees, we’re glad to advance and now fully shift our focus to Oakfield for Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup. Oakfield, the second seed, has been dominant and well-coached all season, so we know it’ll be tough, but the weather looks better for Tuesday, and we will see what happens.”

Alexander advances to face No. 2 seed Oakfield in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Submitted photos.

Batavia, the No. 10 seed, defeated No. 7 Geneva 18-0 in a Section V softball game Thursday night.

Senior pitcher Arianna Almekinder broke the Batavia High School single-season strikeout record, finishing the night with 167 strikeouts. The previous record was 162. Almekinder struck out 12, allowed only one hit, and issued no walks.

Batavia’s offense collected 13 hits. Gabby Smith went 3-for-4 with a triple and five RBI. Hannah Carney was 3-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Kyleigh Kabel finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Drew Stevens added a triple, and Libby Grazioplene contributed a double.

Geneva’s Grayson Harris had the lone hit for her team, a double.

Batavia improves to 9-11 and advances in the sectional tournament. Geneva finishes the season at 10-8.

Pembroke secured a 2-1 walk-off win over Letchworth in the first round of the Section V Class C softball sectionals Friday evening at the Albion Turf Complex.

Letchworth struck first in the third inning when Grace Mitchell singled, driving in the game’s opening run. Pembroke held Letchworth to one run through the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Reagan Schneider was hit by a pitch, Sophia Gorski singled, and Taylor Bischoff walked to load the bases. Camille Campbell then singled to the outfield, scoring two runs and clinching the victory for Pembroke.

Jayden Hootman earned the win for Pembroke, allowing just two hits and one run over seven innings. Hootman recorded eight strikeouts, two walks, and one hit batter.

Gorski, Bischoff, Schneider, and Juliana Cleveland each had one hit for Pembroke. Bischoff and Schneider both doubled.

Mitchell finished with two singles and one RBI for Letchworth.

Pembroke advances to face Bloomfield on Tuesday.

Press release:

In a thrilling Section V playoff shocker, the 12-seed Byron-Bergen Bees softball team toppled 5-seed Sodus with a dominant 23–8 victory. Down 8–5 in the fifth inning, the Bees unleashed an offensive explosion that flipped the script and secured a statement win.

The rally began with freshman Lillian Meier, who came off the bench and delivered a clutch, game-tying triple — the first extra-base hit of her varsity career. The very next batter, sophomore Taylor Lundfelt, stepped to the plate 0-for-24 on the season and broke through in the biggest moment, smashing a deep double to give the Bees a lead they never gave back.

On the mound, Lily Stalica came in to relieve Lauren Gartz in the fourth inning and shut the door on Sodus. Stalica tossed 2.2 innings of no-hit, shutout softball while striking out four to earn the win.

“This was the kind of game that shows what these girls are made of,” said Head Coach Steve Ball. “We’ve faced adversity all season, and today we saw what can happen when you keep fighting. Lillian and Taylor stepped up in huge moments — that’s what team softball is all about. I couldn’t be prouder of every single player on that field. This was a full team win, and we’re not done yet.”

Stats:

    •    J. Weaver: .500 batting average, three runs, two RBIs, two walks
    •    J. Amesbury: .667 batting average, two hits, three RBIs
    •    K. Chase: 1.000 batting average, two runs, two RBIs
    •    L. Meier: Game-tying triple, four RBIs
    •    T. Lundfelt: Go-ahead three-run double, three RBIs
    •    L. Gartz: 2-for-3, three runs, four RBIs
    •    L. Stalica: 2 2/3 innings pitched, no hits, no runs, four strikeouts (win)

Sofia Falleti drove in five runs on three hits to lead Notre Dame Varsity Fighting Irish past Kendall 19-7 on Tuesday. Falleti hit a grand slam to center field in the sixth inning, scoring four runs, and singled in the fifth inning to drive in another.

Notre Dame trailed 7-0 in the fourth inning before rallying for the win. The comeback started in the bottom of the fourth when Clairissa Milliman hit a solo home run to right field. Anna Panepento drew a walk to bring in a run, and Riley Hare hit into a fielder’s choice that scored another.

Notre Dame took control in the fifth, scoring 12 runs on eight hits to lead 15-7. Hare delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a single that drove in two runs.
Falleti capped the scoring in the sixth with her grand slam.

Amelia Sorochty earned the win, allowing three hits and three runs over two innings, striking out two and walking two. Stangler took the loss for Kendall, giving up 13 runs on eight hits over four innings. Ferris started for Notre Dame, allowing three hits and four runs over three innings. Mia Treleaven pitched one inning in relief, striking out two and allowing no hits or runs.

Notre Dame finished its regular season 7-9.

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Batavia defeated Alexander 9-4 on Wednesday, improving to 8-11 on the season. Alexander dropped to 8-10.

Arianna Almekinder earned the win for Batavia, striking out 14 batters. Almekinder followed up Monday’s 20-strikeout performance against Brockport with another strong outing in the circle.

Kyleigh Kabel went 2-for-3 at the plate. Libby Grazeoplene hit a three-run home run. Hannah Carney delivered a two-RBI double. Drew Stevens and Gabby Smith each added RBI singles.

Batavia scored two runs in the first inning, five in the fourth, and two in the fifth. Alexander scored one run in the first, one in the fifth, and two in the seventh.
Batavia will play in the first round of sectionals on Friday.

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Elba and Lyndonville met for the second time in four days on Monday, with Lyndonville coming out on top 10-7 in a game that went to extra innings.

Elba took an early lead in the second inning, scoring twice on a walk and an error. Lyndonville rallied in the sixth, putting up five runs on four hits, including a two-run double by Braelynn Dillenbeck, to move ahead 6-2.

Elba answered in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs of their own to reclaim the lead, 7-6. Bri Totten delivered a two-run single after a long at-bat to cap the rally.

Lyndonville tied the game in the seventh, taking advantage of an Elba error. In the ninth, Isabela Groves doubled to drive in the go-ahead run, and another error allowed Lyndonville to extend the lead to 10-7.

Brea Smith pitched all nine innings for Elba, allowing 12 hits and 10 runs (five earned) while striking out six and walking three. Arnie Sturtevant went the distance for Lyndonville, giving up seven hits and seven runs (three earned) with 11 strikeouts and six walks.

Maddie Hall and Bri Totten led Elba with two hits each. Totten and Lauren Hawkins both drove in two runs. Elba drew six walks and turned a double play on defense.

Lyndonville finished with 12 hits. Addison Dillenbeck and Isabela Groves each had three hits and two RBI. Elena Barry added two hits, while Dillenbeck stole five bases as Lyndonville totaled seven steals in the game.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Barker captured the championship at its annual high school softball tournament Saturday, edging Oakfield-Alabama in a tight final. 

The tournament featured strong pitching, explosive offense, and several late-inning rallies as Oakfield-Alabama, Lyndonville, and Elba joined the host Bulldogs for a full Spring day of softball.

Oakfield-Alabama opens with league win over Lyndonville
Oakfield-Alabama started the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Lyndonville in a game that counted toward league standings. Savannah Durham delivered a strong performance in the circle, tossing a complete game two-hitter with seven strikeouts. Piper Hyde sparked the Hornets’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Allison Harkness added two hits and an RBI, while Chloe Lamb contributed a sacrifice fly.

“It was just a great high school softball game. Definitely had a Sectional Final feel to it,” said Hornet's coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. “Lyndonville is an excellent softball team, and Coach Moore does a fantastic job year in and year out with his teams. Total respect for him and his program. Our kids played incredibly well defensively. We got some big hits when we needed them and capitalized on our opportunities.”

Barker Holds Off Elba’s rally
Barker advanced to the championship with a 7-5 win over Elba. The Bulldogs built a seven-run lead by the fourth inning, taking advantage of a hit batter and an error in the second that led to four runs. Elba responded with four runs in the fourth, fueled by singles and patience at the plate, but could not complete the comeback.

Elba outhit Barker 6-4, with Lauren Hawkins leading the Lancers with two hits. Brea Smith started for Elba, pitching six innings and striking out four. At the plate, Smith drove in two runs, while Maddie Hall and Madison Marks each drew two walks. Barker’s Mady Flint drove in two runs, and Peyton Bradley pitched a complete game, striking out four.

Lyndonville outslugs Elba in consolation game
Lyndonville topped Elba 17-11 in a high-scoring consolation matchup. Elba took an early lead, but Lyndonville answered with five runs in the first and pulled away with a five-run sixth inning. Addison Dillenbeck led Lyndonville, going 4-for-5 with a double, two triples, and five RBIs. Arnie Sturtevant added three hits, including a home run and a double, and Alexa Robinson and Braelynn Dillenbeck each had multiple hits.

Elba’s Bri Totten drove in five runs with two hits, including a triple. Brea Smith collected three hits, and Madalyn Marks reached base three times on walks. Elba rallied for five runs in the seventh but could not close the gap.

Barker tops Oakfield-Alabama in championship
In the final, Barker edged Oakfield-Alabama 5-3. The Hornets erased an early deficit with a two-run homer from Rylee Denny in the fifth inning, tying the game. Defensive miscues in the sixth allowed Barker to regain the lead. Oakfield-Alabama threatened in the seventh, putting the tying runs in scoring position, but Barker held on for the win.

Emma Moeller pitched six innings for Oakfield-Alabama, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Hyde doubled, and Raine Denny, Allie Williams, and Jess Sosnowski each added hits. Piper Hyde was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts.

“We dug ourselves a hole early, but Rylee Denny’s two-run HR over the fence tied it. A couple of miscues defensively in the sixth hurt us, but we battled back in the seventh and had the tying runs on second and third to give ourselves a chance. A great day for us to get two good games in preparation for sectionals,” Schlagenhauf said.

Piper Hyde was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Oakfield-Alabama finishes the regular season at 14-2.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Faith Goodenbury and Emily Pietrzykowski powered Alexander to a 12-7 win over Attica on Friday.

Goodenbury went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBIs. Pietrzykowski finished 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

“We needed this kind of team effort after a tough, close loss yesterday to Pembroke,” Alexander coach John Goodenbury said.

Alexander jumped ahead in the first with a Goodenbury double. Attica answered with three runs in the bottom half, including a two-RBI single from Haley Mills.

The Trojans responded with six runs in the second, highlighted by Pietrzykowski’s two-RBI double.

“We’re focused on staying sharp and getting ourselves ready for sectionals,” Goodenbury said.

Alexander collected 11 hits. Goodenbury and Pietrzykowski had three each. Ava Yax, Melissa Sawyer, Melanie Bump, Lilly Szymkowiak and Paige Morton each added a hit.

Paige Morton started and allowed four hits and five unearned runs over three innings. Pietrzykowski earned the win in relief, tossing four innings with one hit, three strikeouts and one earned run.

Mills pitched all seven innings for Attica, striking out six and walking four. She also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Cius, Jackson and Scripp each had a hit for the Blue Devils.

Alexander plays Batavia on Saturday at the Chris Martin Field of Dreams. First pitch is 2 p.m.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Oakfield-Alabama’s offense sets the tone early and never lets up, powering the Lady Hornets to a 17-3 win over Notre Dame on Thursday.

The Lady Hornets score four runs in the first and six in the second, building a commanding lead. Oakfield-Alabama collects 13 hits, with seven players driving in runs.

Rylee Denny leads the way, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Piper Hyde finishes 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Raine Denny adds two hits and two RBIs.

Chloe Lamb chips in two hits and an RBI. Emma Moeller drives in three. Olivia Wescott and Allie Williams each add an RBI, while Ysa Schrauger goes 1-for-3.

Allison Harkness starts in the circle, allowing three hits and one earned run over four innings, striking out four. Savannah Durham closes it out, tossing three scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Oakfield-Alabama improves to 13-1 on the season.

Photos by Kristin Smith

Oakfield-Alabama built an early lead and defeated Elba, 9-1, in softball on Wednesday. 

The Hornets improved to 12-1 on the season.

Oakfield-Alabama scored four runs in the first inning and added to their lead in the second, third, fourth, and sixth. 

Allison Harkness earned the win, pitching seven innings, allowing four hits, and striking out eight.

Hornets offense:

• Piper Hyde: 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
• Raine Denny: 3-for-4
• Allison Harkness: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Chloe Lamb: 1-for-1, triple, 3 RBI
• Allie Williams: 1-for-3, RBI
• Jess Sosnowski: 1-for-3, RBI

“It was our eighth game in a nine-day stretch," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "I am very proud of how our girls have battled and have been able to maintain their focus. It has been a long stretch. It will be good to get some practice work in tomorrow.” 

Photos by Kristin Smith

Arianna Almekinder delivered a stellar performance on Tuesday afternoon, striking out 13 batters and tossing her first varsity perfect game as Batavia cruised to a 19-0 victory over East High.

Almekinder reached a major milestone early, recording her 100th strikeout of the season in the second inning. She was dominant throughout, not allowing a single hit or walk in the shutout win.

Offensive leaders were Violet Lopez, Hannah Carney, Almekinder herself, and Libby Grazioplene..

The win marks Batavia’s third straight victory. 

Alexander beat Attica on the day of the Trojans' Senior Game on Tuesday, 10-5.

The Trojans answered a late rally by Attica, scoring four runs and tying the game, with six runs in the sixth inning.

Emily Pietrzykowski tripled, scoring two runs, Melanie Bump laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run, and Felski tripled, scoring three runs. Sophomore Ella Felski led the Trojans at the plate and provided clutch hitting that put the game out of reach for Attica.

Pietrzykowski earned the win for Alexander. The righty surrendered five hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out eight and walking six.

Sophomore Haley Mills took the loss for Attica. The starter went six innings, giving up 10 runs (six earned) on 10 hits, striking out three and walking four. Piorun led Attica with two runs batted in. The outfielder went 3-for-4 on the day.

Alexander piled up 10 hits in the game. Melissa Sawyer, Yax, and Pietrzykowski each collected multiple hits for Alexander.
 

Hitting:

• Ella Felski went 3-for-4 with a triple, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, stolen base
• Melissa Sawyer went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs, run, walk
• Ava Yax went 2-for-3 with an RBI, 2 runs, walk, stolen base
• Emili Pietrzykowski went 2-for-4 with a Triple, 2 RBIs, and a run scored

Pitching:

• Emily Pietrzykowski – Win, 7 Innings, 5 hits allowed, 4 earned runs allowed, 6 walks issued and 8 punch outs.

"This was senior night for our girls, and the way it played out felt like a movie script," said Coach John Goodenbury. "After giving up four runs in the top of the sixth, I told them in the dugout, 'This is your script to write, go out and write it.' They went out there, fought for it, and made it happen. It was a great moment for their families to see them respond that way on an emotional senior night. We needed this win to stay in contention to win the GR (Division 1). 

"I also want to give credit to Attica’s pitcher Haley Mills; she’s a developing pitcher and is going to be a force for Attica over the next couple of years. She’s poised, she battles, and I had the pleasure of having her fill in with our travel team last summer. I know she’s only going to keep rising to the top, and she won’t be easy next year."

Photo by Makenna Boyce.

Oakfield-Alabama picked up two wins on Monday over Pembroke.

The first win was a 19-0 victory that was the resumption of a game the teams were unable to complete on May 1.  The Lady Hornets scored 11 runs in the seventh inning.

Allison Harkness got the win, going seven innings, giving up five hits and striking out seven. She was 2-4 at the plate with an RBI.

Hornet's offense:

• Ysa Schrauger and Emma Moeller, 4-5 each with 3 RBIs
• Allie Williams, 2-5, grand slam. 4 RBIs
• Savannah Durham, Raine Denny and Rylee Denny each had 2 hits

In game two, O-A came from behind (down 7-5), scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 9-7.

Harkness got the win in relief of starter Savannah Durham.

Offense:

• Piper Hyde, 3-4,  2 RBIs
• Allison Harkness, 2-4 RBI
• Emma Moeller, 2-2, RBI
• Allie Williams,  Rylee Denny and Chloe Lamb each had a hit and an RBI

The Hornets are now 10-1 on the season.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Behind a one-hitter (an infield single) by Oakfield-Alabama's Savannah Durham, the Hornets beat the Elba Lancers in Softball on Saturday, 12-0 in six innings.

Durham fanned eight hitters and didn't issue a walk. She was also 2-4 at the plate.

Hornets offense:

• Piper Hyde, 4-4, home run, double, 4 RBIs
• Allison Harkness, 3-4, 2 RBIs
• Allie Williams, 3-4, triple
• Ysa Schrauger, 1-3, 2 RBIs

The Hornets had 15 hits.

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Press release:

The Lady Irish defeated the Elba Lancers Friday night, 11-10. 

The Irish took a 7-0 lead into the 5th inning. The Lancers closed the gap with one run in the 5th and then proceeded to go on a scoring run in the 6th, flipping the advantage to a 10-7 lead over the Irish. 

Notre Dame battled back in the bottom of the 6th with a single by Amelia Sorochty and a double by Sofia Falleti, driving in the two runs needed to even the score out to 10-10 going into the 7th. 

Falleti turned a double play and then had a diving catch to seal all three outs in the top of the 7th. 

Amelia Sorochty scored the winning run in the 7th for the Irish and led the team, going 4-5 at the plate.

Mia Treleaven was the winning pitcher, giving up 11 hits and 10 runs (4 earned) while striking out 10. Bri Totten and Brea Smith led the Lancers, collecting two hits each. Smith took the loss, striking out eight and walking none. 

Photos by Kristin Smith