Softball Splits Doubleheader with Erie CC

ERIE, N.Y. — The Finger Lakes Community College softball team traveled to Erie Community College for a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, and the Lakers earned a split against the Kats.

Four different Laker student-athletes drove in two runs apiece during a 10-8 win in the opener. FLCC (4-14) then saw its comeback effort fall short in a 9-8 loss in game two vs. Erie CC (2-4).

In the opener, freshman starting pitcher Reagan Seelye (Elmira Heights, NY/Thomas A. Edison) staked herself to a 2-0 lead on a two-run single in the first inning, but ECC struck back for four runs in the bottom of the frame to lead 4-2 after one.

The Lakers would not be down long. Sophomore Malori Waag (Cherry Creek, NY/Pine Valley) hit a two-run single in the second to knot the score at 4, then FLCC tacked on a run in the fourth on a wild pitch.

Leading 5-4 heading into the fifth, freshman Clare Kingsfield (Forestville, NY/Forestville) hit an RBI single, then freshman pinch-hitter Deanna Palmer (Auburn, NY/Auburn) belted a two-run homer, the first homer of her FLCC career, to extend the Laker lead to 8-4.

ECC scored twice in the bottom of the inning to claw within 8-6, but sophomore Hannah Capacci (Seneca Falls, NY/Mynderse Academy) drove in a run on a sixth-inning single and Kingsfield added an RBI single as the Lakers took a 10-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

The Kats would close within 10-8 on a pair of runs in the seventh, but Seelye closed out the win by inducing a pair of flyouts to end the game.

Waag, Seelye, Kingsfield and Palmer each drove in two runs, Capacci stole two bases and the Lakers as a team stole seven bases in the win. Seelye struck out eight in the complete game victory.

In the second game, Palmer hit her second homer of the day, sophomore Alyn Watts (Naples, NY/Marcus Whitman) drove in two runs, classmate Karena Ward (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) was 2-for-4 with an RBI for FLCC, and Capacci was 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.

Trailing 8-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Palmer smacked a solo homer and Watts delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single to trim the deficit to 8-6. ECC tacked on a run in the sixth, but the Lakers mounted a comeback attempt in the seventh.

Freshman Kalyska Payne (Savona, NY/Campbell-Savona) drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a double from sophomore Mia Bresadola (Camillus, NY/West Genesee), and scored on a wild pitch. Capacci followed with a sacrifice fly to score Bresadola and pull the Lakers within 9-8, but the next two Lakers were retired to end the game.

FLCC travels to Cayuga Community College for a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.