MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Softball Team (13-13, 11-3 NEAC) rebounded from a crushing late-inning loss to the Keuka Storm (12-6, 12-2 NEAC) in game one of Friday's doubleheader to manage a split via an 8-0 win in the nightcap.
GAME ONE:
The Keuka Storm used a 5-run rally in the top of the 7th inning to take the first game 6-3. The rally started with a one-out pinch-hit base hit by Liz Warren, who lined one to centerfield. The Storm managed to put another runner on and had first and third with two outs. The pinch-runner Nicole Wright then scored on a base hit to right field by Deliane Lessard.
With runners on first and second and two outs, however, the Wildcats still held a 3-2 lead. That would all change with a double to deep left-center field by the Storm 3-hitter, Samantha Blum. Adding insult to injury, clean-up hitter Ally Muller then followed that up with a 2-run homer to right field. Muller went with the pitch to right field, getting the ball up in the air and allowing the breeze to help carry it over the right field wall.
In the bottom of the frame the Wildcats threatened, putting two runners on base, but Storm pitcher Danielle Gravel would leave them both stranded as Keuka took the 6-3 win.
The late-inning drama hid 6-innings of stellar play by the Wildcats. Starting pitcher Jessica Patterelli (Canastota, N.Y. / Canastota) was untouchable early in the game, striking out the side in the top of the 1st. Patterelli definitely appeared to have a little extra on the ball in the early goings, striking out the leadoff batter looking on a nice inside fastball, then fanning Blum to end the inning on some high heat.
Patterelli would go on to strike out two more in the top of the 2nd, giving her 5 K's through the first two frames. SUNYIT took advantage at the plate, scoring a run in the bottom half. Danielle Witchley (New Hartford, N.Y. / New Hartford) started things with a base hit up the middle, advanced to second on a fielder's choice, then scored on a Corrina Laracuente (Utica, N.Y. / Utica-Proctor) bloop single.
Patterelli continued to cruise until the 4th inning, when the Storm led off with an error to right field that resulted in three bases for Blum. She then scored on a base hit by Muller; second baseman Laracuente made a great play on the base hit, diving to her right to stop the line drive, but there was no chance of a play at either base.
The Storm showed some defense of their own in the bottom of the 5th, as pitcher Gravel snagged a hard one-hopper by Pristera, then turned and delivered a strike to second base to start the inning-ending 1-6-3 double play.
Patterelli responded with some glove work as well in the top of the 6th. After knocking down a hard grounder, the Wildcat pitcher chased down the ricochet before flipping the ball backhand to Erika Charbonneau (Boonville, N.Y. / Adirondack) at first, getting Muller by half-a-step.
Kiersten Albertson (Kirkville, N.Y. / East-Syracuse Minoa), Leah Segerlin (Webster, N.Y. / Webster Shroeder), and Danielle Witchley all had two hits each for the Wildcats, while the Storm were led by Muller (2-for-4, 3 RBI) and Blum (1-for-4, 2 RBI). Gravel took the win for the Storm, surrendering 2 ER over 7 innings, while Patterelli suffered the loss despite none of her 6 runs being earned.
GAME TWO:
After the events of game one's 7th inning, the Wildcats seemed determined not to let things get that far in the nightcap, activating the 8-run rule with an 8-0, 5-inning victory.
The home team wasted no time, as singles by Fallon Reinold (Holland Patent, N.Y. / Holland Patent) and Krista Pristera (New Hartford, N.Y. / New Hartford) set the table for Patterelli, who helped avenge her game one pitching loss by launching a monster home run over the right field wall, a no-doubter to give SUNYIT an early 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second Patterelli struck again, this time going the other way for a double to left-center that scored Albertson all the way from first base.
From there, the Wildcats continued to pour it on, scoring in all four of their at-bats on the way to the win. It would be plenty of run support for Reinold, who fanned five in her 5 innings of work, picking up her 8th win of the season.
Patterelli would finish 2-for-3 with 4 RBI's on a double and a home run, while Pristera, Charbonneau, and Abby Black (Turin, N.Y. / South Lewis) all went for multiple hits as well.
The Wildcats will now have a crucial stretch of three-straight conference doubleheaders, as they travel to Wells tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 pm.