Madison Boyce was in control on the mound as she tossed a one-hit, 13 K on Friday night in Alexander.
Boyce went 7 innings and didn't surrender an earned run while walking only two batters.
The Trojans beat the Byron-Bergen Bees 9-1.
The Trojan offense was led by Melissa Sawyer as she went 4-for-5 with one run scored and three RBIs. Ava Yax was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases. Melanie Bump went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Ava Yax went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, a walk, an RBI and two stolen bases. Madison Boyce went 2-for-4 with two runs scored a walk and an RBI. Carley Shepard added an RBI Triple on the day.
"It was good to build on yesterday’s win with another consistent day for our team," said Coach John Goodenbury. "With this crazy spring weather, we just want to be able to play consistent ball, and now we are starting to. Sawyer and Bump have been seeing the ball really well lately and have had a big impact on our offense. Together, these two girls are 13-for-17 with 12 RBIs in our last two games alone. The rest of our team is also starting to hit the gaps instead of finding the defense, and that’s huge. We are gaining momentum, and it's exciting."
Notre Dame beat Byron-Bergen in softball on Wednesday, 23-2.
The Irish scored 22 runs in the first inning. ND had 25 hits, and eight starters had multi-hit games.
Emma Sisson and Sofia Falleti collected four hits each. They also each drove in three runs and scored three.
Loretta Sorochty, Katie Landers and Mia Treleaven each had three hits. Landers scored three runs and had two RBIs. Sorochty had three runs and four RBIs. Treleaven scored three runs and had three RBIs.
Sorochty was the starter, going five innings and giving up three hits, two runs and recording all 15 outs on strikeouts.
Carley Shepard drove in five runs on three hits to lead Alexander past Alden 16-13 on Saturday at Alden.
Shepard’s biggest hit was a bases-clearing double to the left field gap in the fourth inning.
The rest of Alexander's offense was also strong, as the team landed 22 hits on the day.
Madison Boyce, Melanie Bump and Faith Goodenbury had three hits each during the contest. Meanwhile, Emily Pietrzykowski, Melissa Sawyer, Claudia Ripstein and Lillian Szymkowiak notched two hits each on the day.
On the bump for Alexander, Emily Pietrzykowski pitched five solid innings, only allowing one earned run and striking out two Bulldogs. Madison Boyce earned the win as she hurled four two-hit innings while striking out 6 Bulldogs.
"We needed this one," said Coach John Goodenbury. "We knew that we haven’t been playing our best ball lately. We needed to put our feet down and turn things around. They did just that today, and I am proud of these girls. It was a very cold day as it was snowing off and on throughout the game, and we were missing our starting third baseman, but our girls battled through it and beat a very good and well-coached team on their home field. Our team had at least one hit today, which was nice to see. It felt like the ball had been going straight to fielders for putouts in our last three games, but not today. We are looking forward to our showdown with Oakfield on Monday."
Sofia Falleti touched them all in the sixth inning, driving in three runs with a blast over the centerfield fence. Submitted photo.
Batavia Norte Dame smacked around 21 hits on Friday afternoon, leading to a 14-5 win over Lyndonville in Girls Softball.
Hannah Tenney and Mia Treleaven each had four hits. Tenney had three RBIs and scored a run. Treleaven had an RBI. Sofia Falleti had a single, double and three-run blast over the center field fence. Falleti finished with three runs scored and six RBIs. Gianna Falleti contributed three hits, two RBIs and scored twice. Loretta Sorochty, Katie Landers and Cayleigh Havens each had two hits, with Landers scoring three runs and Havens scoring once.
On the mound, Loretta Sorochty went the distance, giving up four hits, one earned run and striking out 14 Lyndonville batters.
"Loretta kept us in the game once again until our bats came alive in the fifth inning," said Coach Otis Thomas. "Lyndonville is always one of the top teams in the league with a strong defense and good hitters. I'm proud of how the ladies overcame the slow start and finished strong. I'm especially happy to see the middle and bottom part of the batting order step up tonight and make significant contributions."
Elba beat CG Finney 16-1 on Tuesday in Girls Softball.
Stats:
Maddie Thompson was 3-4 and scored twice
Maddie Hall was 2-5, 2 RBIs and scored 3 times
Madison Marks and Madilyn Marks each had 2 RBIs
Adi Norton was 2-4 and 2 RBIs
"Offensively our team had 19 hits and ran the bases well," said Coach Dean Gottler. "Defensively, our fielding was outstanding to back up another great outing from winning pitcher Brea Smith, who struck out four and walked only one."
Notre Dame pulled out the close league matchup over Alexander behind the pitching of senior Loretta Sorochty.
Sorochty pitched a complete game, giving up just 3 hits, no earned runs and striking out 18 batters.
Emily Pietrzykowski pitched a strong game for Alexander as well, going the distance and only giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 batters.
Offensively for ND, Sorochty helped her cause with two hits and two RBIs. Katie Landers added two hits and a run scored. Mia Treleaven (double), Anna Panepento and Amelia Sorochty each contributed a hit, with Treleaven and A. Sorochty each adding a run scored. Sofia Falleti added a sac fly RBI, while Clairissa Milliman added a run scored.
"Tonight was a good test against a very strong Alexander squad," said Coach Otis Thomas. "I'm proud of the way the girls battled the entire game and can't say enough about our ace Loretta. Our bats were a little cold, but Loretta kept us in the game until we could score a few insurance runs. We have to put this one behind us and prepare for a tough league game vs Lyndonville on Friday."
The young players who are learning the game as members of the Batavia Stingers, so Batavia High School's varsity softball team members coaching the Stingers players is good for both teams, said Rob Kersch.
Kersch is Batavia's varsity softball coach.
The Blue Devils hosted a clinic for Stingers players in the auxiliary gym at the high school on Saturday.
"I wanted to make sure our kids are giving back to the community," Kersch said. "They were all little softball players, you know, like they're teaching and coaching right now. I wanted to give back, and they're excited about it, too. They want to get involved with these kids. The other thing is, you're looking at future Batavia Blue Devils. We want to foster some a relationship with them, and help build them up, so when they come up to us, they will be much better players."
Saturday's clinic was all about hitting. Clinics scheduled for April 7 and April 21 will concentrate on fielding and base running.
Current Stingers Board President Michelle Gillard said, "This is a great opportunity for our young athletes to learn and be mentored by older players."
Matt Landers, one of the co-founders of the Stingers, helped facilitate the clinic and said he thinks there is demand for the Stingers program to grow in Batavia, but more parents need to get involved, especially as coaches.
"I think that we definitely have a need in the community and more interest in the community," Landers said. "We're thrilled to be able to do this, again to keep this program going. But we know we can get bigger and have more more kids play ball, but it all comes down to having more coaches."
After trailing the entire game, Batavia PD staged a comeback win in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the third meeting in a charity baseball game between the police department and the City of Batavia Fire Department.
The final score was 14-13 on Saturday evening at Dwyer Stadium.
Proceeds benefited the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.
The Edge Softball Travel Team is holding tryouts starting Aug. 7 at Batavia High School.
Tryout times are 6 to 6:30 p.m. for pitchers and catchers, 6:30 to 8 p.m. for all other positions.
Registration begins 15 minutes prior to tryout.
Teams:
Aug. 7, 16u and 18u
Aug. 8, 12u and 14u
Aug. 9, 16u and 18u
Aug. 10, 12u & 14u.
For pre-registration text or email Coach Brian Mruczek, brianmruczek@yahoo.com or 585-993*1170. Please include the player's name, date of birth, contact information, and position.
Jim Fazio at Dwyer Stadium on Monday evening. Photo by Howard Owens.
Health issues and a desire to see his son play more baseball in his final season with the Batavia Blue Devils have led Jim Fazio to step down as head coach of the Batavia High School softball team.
"The team means the world to me," Fazio told The Batavian at Dwyer Stadium during the Batavia Muckdogs game on Monday evening. "Ever since I started coaching, it was a dream to win a sectional title. To finally get it this year, it's just something that, you know, you just dream about."
Fazio has been coaching since 2000 and became varsity softball coach in 2018.
Under the circumstances, coaching in 2024 isn't possible, he said. He's been diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and is on two waiting lists for a kidney transplant.
"That's the main reason why I'm stepping down," Fazio said. "I think I should be able to coach tennis, but things right now are up in the air."
His son is also entering his senior year, and in the spring, Fazio wants to take the time to see more of his son's baseball games.
"I miss a lot of his games because their schedule almost mimics ours," Fazio said.
Jim and Nikki Fazio enjoying the moment after Batavia won a Girls Softball Section V title on May 27. Photo by Howard Owens.
Saturday was quite the sports day for Notre Dame High School with both the baseball and softball teams winning championships.
When the teams returned to Batavia, they were met in the Eastown parking lot by Batavia PD patrols and a City Fire truck and given a championship escort through Downtown.
The Notre Dame GIrls Softball team captured the Section V Class D1 title in Fillmore on Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Lyndonville. Photo by Keira Stehlar Keira Stehlar
Submitted game story:
Notre Dame used a balanced offensive attack, flawless defense and, as always, solid pitching to pull out the 5-2 win in the Class D1 Sectional finals over Lyndonville on Saturday afternoon in Fillmore.
Notre Dame scored runs in the second, third, five, sixth and seventh innings and stopped a late rally by Lyndonville in which the Lady Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Starter Loretta Sorochty fanned the last two Tigers to preserve the win. She was named MVP of the tournament.
Sorochty pitched a complete game for the Lady Irish, going seven innings, giving up five hits, two runs and had 11 strikeouts.
Lyndonville pitcher Shaffer gave up 11 hits, five runs and had six strikeouts.
Leading the way offensively for ND were Sorochty, Mia Treleaven, Sonji Warner and Anna Panepento, who each had two hits. Sorochty had a double, single, a run scored and an RBI. Treleaven had two singles and an RBI. Warner had two singles, and Panepento had two singles and an RBI. Katie Landers added a base hit, scored a run and was hit by a pitch twice. Cayleigh Havens had a base hit, and Kaydence Stehlar had a hit and a run scored.
Notre Dame now moves on to face the D2 champion Tuesday night in Fillmore.
"I couldn't be more proud of these ladies," said Coach Otis Thomas. "Between the fall league at MCC, the winter workouts and all the practices we had this spring, it is nice to see their hard work pay off. This a special group that plays for each other and I hope we can keep this momentum going a little longer and see how far we can go."
Batavia already had a 4-2 lead when Giana Mruczek scored the second run on a two runs that scored on a Sophia Minuto base hit in the fifth inning. Photo by Howard Owens.
For the first time in a decade and the second time in program history, Batavia's softball players lifted a Section V trophy over their heads after beating Waterloo for the Class B1 crown, 7-2.
Giana Mruczek tossed a complete game three-hitter, fanning seven and going 1-3 at the plate and driving in a run. She was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Libby Grazioplene went 4-4. Julia Clark had two stolen bases and scored two runs.
This was the third year straight that Batavia and Waterloo have clashed in sectional finals and the first time in those three contests that Batavia came out on top.
"To beat Waterloo is a big accomplishment," said Coach James Fazio. "I had a feeling that if we made it this far, it was going to be Waterloo again. And it was, thankfully, we're able to get the job done today."
A key difference this year, Fazio said, is Batavia took an early lead.
"They're such a strong hitting team from top to bottom that no lead to safe against them," Fazio said. "For once, we were able to get the lead on them, and that's been our struggle the last couple of years -- we always play from behind. But this time, we put them on their heels, and we were just able to hold on. They're a tough team, and we were fortunate enough to beat him."
Mruczek said the win felt really special because she and her teammates have worked hard and grown close.
"I think it's very heartfelt," Mruczek said. "This team has worked so hard for these past two years, and this team (Waterloo), they've always come for us. This was the third year playing them, and I think that we really wanted it so bad. This one is just what everyone deserved. I think it's great."
Clark said there was something special about beating Waterloo, given the history between the two teams.
"This means everything," Clark said. "We've fallen so many times to this team, and we don't see him in the regular season. So it's really this game or nothing. So we always have to put our all in."
The win was also special, Clark said, because of the decade between championship trophies for the softball team.
"We haven't won it all in a very long time," Clark said. "We're always division champs and stuff like that. But to finally win a sectional title for our school means a lot."
Other performance highlights:
Sophia Minuto, 1-3, two RBIs
Drew Stevens, 1-3, one RBI
Arianna Almekinder, 1-3, one RBI
Lyndsey Grazioplene, 1-3
Next up for Batavia: The Class B consolidation game against either Wellsville or Haverling on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Honeoye Falls-Lima HS.
Photos by Howard Owens. To view more photos, click here.
Arianna Almekinder popped up a bunt in the 7th inning that landed fair just out of reach of ....
... Waterloo catcher Logan Amidon.
Giana Mruczek tossed a complete game three-hitter, fanning seven.
Giana Mruczek
Sofia Branche scores.
Third baseman Hannah Carney charges toward the plate on a chop swing by Waterloo's Emily Plate.
Giana Mruczek takes a pitch.
Sophia Minuto fouls one off.
Hannah Carney throwing to first.
Kennedy Beniamino is out at first. Batavia's first baseman is Sophia Minuto
Batavia, the #2 seed in the Section V Class B Girls Softball tournament, beat Midlakes on Thursday to advance to the finals, where they will face #1 seed Waterloo on Saturday.
The final score was 5-4.
Libby Grazioplene was 2-4 with three RBIs, including driving in the winning run with a two-run single.
Julia Clark was 2-3.
Lila Fortes had an RBi while going 1-4.
Giana Mruzcek tossed a complete game for the win, striking out nine.
Saturday's game is at 11 a.m. at Webster Thomas High School.
Notre Dame, the #4 seed in Class D, jumped on top-seeded Keshequa early, scoring two runs in the first and two runs in the third inning and then held on for the 7-4 victory in the Girls Softball Section V semifinals.
Keshequa threatened with three runs in the 6th inning, aided by two Irish errors, but back-to-back strong plays by shortstop Katie Landers (6-3 each time) ended the Keshequa rally.
Loretta Sorochty pitched the complete game for the Lady Irish, going seven innings, giving up six hits, four runs (1 earned) and striking out six batters. Sorochty helped her own cause with 4 fielding putouts during the game.
Keshequa pitcher Aurora Sabins pitched a complete game, 7 innings, giving up 10 hits, 7 runs (4 earned) and struck out 11 batters.
Offensively for Notre Dame, four different batter had two hits each: Sorochty, Landers, Mia Treleaven and Emma Sisson.
Sorochty helped her pitching effort with a sixth-inning solo shot over the left field fence, along with a single, two runs scored, and one RBI. Landers had a double, single, one run scored and one RBI, Treleaven had a double, single and two runs scored, while Sisson had two singles. Kaydence Stehlar had a single, one run scored, and one RBI and Sonji Warner had a double and RBI
"The ladies are really playing as a team right now, and it is great to watch," said Coath Otis Thomas. "I told them the job wasn't finished tonight, we have one more game to get. We will enjoy this tonight but be back to work tomorrow to prepare for the finals on Saturday."
The Irish will play for the Class C Section V block at Filmore High School on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Lyndonville.
Notre Dame scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to record a dramatic come-from-behind win in their sectional playoff game against Alfre-Almond on Tuesday at GCC.
Loretta Sorochty tossed a three-hitter, allowing two runs (no earned runs) and striking out 14.
She whiffed the side in the seventh to preserve the lead and secure the win for the Irish.
Katie Landers led the way for Notre Dame on offense with two base hits up the middle. She scored the go-ahead run and drove in the game-tying run in the 6th inning.
Mia Treleaven accounted for the other ND base hit.
Sorochty scored the first run in the 6th inning after drawing a walk. When Alfred's defense misplayed a bunt attempt by Cayleigh Havens, Sorochty was able to streak from first base to home. Katie Landers drove a ball up the middle for a base hit, plating Havens, and then she advanced to second on an error by left fielder. Following an Anna Panepento walk, the bases were loaded. Landers scored on a wild pitch.
"I can't say enough about the fight in these ladies to come back like they did in the sixth inning and pull out the win tonight," said Head Coach Otis Thomas. " Hopefully, we can build on this game and play tough Thursday night."
The Irish, the #4 seed in Class D, play the #1 see Keshequa on Thursday.
Also scheduled for Thursday:
In Class C: #4 Oakfield-Alabama vs. #8 Addison
In Class C: #4 Byron-Bergen vs. #1 Bolivar-Richburg
In Class B: #2 Batavia vs. #3 Midlakes at Batavia HS, game time is 5 p.m.
In Girls Softball on Friday, the Alexander Trojans kept their season going with a 20-5 win over East Rochester.
Freshman Ava Yax, along with Sophomores Faith Goodenbury and Brianna Neyman, led Alexander at the plate as the three hits each for a combined 9-11 on the day.
Ava Yax was 3-4, with four RBIs, two runs scored, and two stolen bases, while Faith Goodenbury was 3-3 with a two-RBI double, one run scored and one stolen base and Brianna Neyman was 3-4 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored. Madison Boyce, Melissa Sawyer, and Carley Shepard all contributed with Multi-hits games. Emily Pietrzykowski extended her hitting streak to 13 games with a triple to right center. The 17 team hits pushed Alexander over 200 team hits on the year.
Madison Boyce picked up her sixth win (6-2) on the bump with another dominant performance where the hurler tossed six innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, and one walk. She whiffed 11 batters. It was her fourth double-digit strikeout outing of the year and brought her strikeout total to 86 through nine starts.
Next up for Alexander (#5 seed) is the Section V Quarterfinal matchup with Oakfield (#4 seed) on Monday at 5 p.m. in Oakfield.
“The girls did a great job in the box again today," said Head Coach John Goodenbury. "Any game that your team can come out and get 17 hits while your pitcher tallies double-digit strikeouts is going to be a good day. Today was nice for the girls, but we all know what lies ahead of us Monday with Oakfield. We will try to focus on the game at hand, but we all had Oakfield on our minds today. That’s going to be a fun game, and they did beat us twice this season by one run each time, so we just want to go in there, play solid defense and let the chips fall where they fall. We’ve had a fantastic season so far, and we just don’t want it to end.”
