North softball continues improved play

is Lisa Fronczak, who became second all-time at South for most career hits. South won 3-1 in eight innings. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville North had a very productive week as they went 3-1 in ECIC Division I play and split two games in the Wildcat Invitational Softball Tournament on Saturday, May 5 at Walden Pond in Lancaster.

The Lady Spartans are 6-4 in league play (after a 1-3 start) and are 9-8 overall.

North opened the week traveling to Frontier on Monday, April 30 for a rematch with the Lady Falcons. The Lady Spartans lost the first game to Frontier, 1-0 so revenge was on their minds.

Trailing 2-0 into the sixth inning and with two outs, Amanda Maraschiello started the North comeback with a single up the middle. Kristen Weber followed with a walk and Kaitlyn McNally hit a smash up the middle for North's first run.

The rally continued in the next inning. Krissy Flierl started the hitting with a slap hit to left field for a single. Lauren O'Brien followed with another single to left. Tricia Kennery was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kristin Ball hit a fielder's choice and all runners were safe. Weber followed with the hit of the game as she lined a pitch to the left center field gap for a bases clearing triple. North scored six runs in the sixth to help avenge their earlier defeat.

North's league play continued on Wednesday, May 2 as they hosted Clarence in a rematch of an earlier game won by the Lady Red Devils, 16-8.

This game was a little different as a classic pitching dual was held between Jen Sansano of Clarence and Tricia Kennery of North.

Clarence scored first, pushing one run across in the fifth inning. Jen Curtis lined a double to the right center field gap and scored on a single by Meg Rogers for Clarence's only run.

The cardiac kids from North came back again though as they responded with two runs of their own in the sixth. Flierl led off with a single and advanced to third on a single by O'Brien. Both runs came in as Kennery supported her superb pitching by smashing a double for two runs batted in. Kennery only allowed four hits while striking out three and walking one.

The inconsistency that has plagued North at times this season returned as they played host to Lancaster on Thursday, May 3. The Lady Redskins put on a hitting clinic and shabby defense from North contributed to a convincing win for Lancaster, 15-3.

Thankfully, the Lady Spartans were able to get right back on their horse as they traveled to West Seneca West on Friday, May 4.

North fell behind 1-0, allowing an unearned run in the third inning. North answered back in the fourth to tie the game. Kennery singled up the middle and scored on a single by Maraschiello.

North broke the game open by scoring three times in the sixth. McNally was hit by a pitch. Liz Dutweiler singled to left field. Flierl had an excellent bunt single to load the bases. McNally scored on a passed ball and Erica Stricko followed with a hard single to center field scoring two runs. North added one more run in the seventh.

Kennery continued her excellent season as she pitched a complete game recording 14 strikeouts and only allowing five hits.

The Lady Spartans participated in the Wildcat Tournament and drew the unenviable task of drawing Williamsville South for their opening game in the Bracket A. North lost 3-1 in eight innings but continued their improvement and played an excellent game.

Eighth grader Robin Kennery threw eight strikeouts.

In the consolation game North defeated Iroquois, 7-1. Kayleigh Galliher went the distance and received the first varsity win of her career. Galliher scattered seven hits and struck out five for the victory.

Offensively, North was led by O'Brien, who scored two runs with one hit and a walk and Kennery with two runs batted in.

North returned to league play against Sweet Home on Monday, May 7 but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. The Lady Spartans are at Orchard Park on Wednesday, May 9 and Lancaster on Friday, May 11, Both games are 4:45 p.m. starts.