At the SUNY Brockport Softball complex on Thursday night, the Section 5 Softball Semi Finals got off to an ominous start as the skies darkened and the start of the contest was delayed due to passing rain showers. But as the conditions improved, so did the fortunes of the Red Raiders, who put together one of their most complete efforts yet in defeating the Titans of Webster Thomas, 12-1.
The game started off in the first with two defensive gems as Ashton Hughes made a long run in left to snare a dying line drive, and Morgan Lindauer who tracked down a fly in short right field. In the bottom of the frame, the offense got right to work when Hughes legged out a hit, and Rachel Malone bunted her way to first. Mackenzie Cleary then singled home Hughes, and Lindauer’s sac fly scored Malone for the early 2-0 lead.
With Stephanie Clark on the hill for the Titans trying her best to keep Fairport in check, the Raiders tacked on three more in the second as Alex McKay singled and Emily Hamilton bunted to first and both advanced on an error. Karen Jablonski hit into a fielder’s choice that scored McKay, and after another Malone single, Cleary brought in both runners with a double. In the third, Sam Broking led off with a triple, was driven home by a Kelsie Anderson single, who later scored on a Jablonski sac fly.
Cleary, starting on the mound for Fairport, and Malone, who pitched the sixth and seventh, did a good job of keeping the Titans off balance all evening with their pitches and the rest of team played a flawless defense that prevented Thomas from mounting any threats to their lead. In the sixth, the Titans strung together a double, a walk and another double to score a run, but a fly out to right and a successful appeal on the runner leaving second base early snuffed out the rally. The Raiders capped off the scoring in the sixth as Broking knocked in two with a bases loaded single, and a long drive to left field by McKay cleared the fence for a two run homer.
“I am so proud of how our team played tonight, it was wonderful to watch and see each player rise to the challenge," said Fairport head coach Amie Carr. "Whether it was hitting, great defense, or heads up base running, everyone had a part in the win tonight.”
(Due to inclement weather, game statistics were not immediately available.)
For a complete synopsis of the game, including comments from both coaching staffs, purchase a copy of the Fairport and Webster Post Newspapers.
