Williamsville North gears up for playoff run

Williamsville North softball got ready for the Section VI playoffs with an 11-4 win over Jamestown on Tuesday, May 15 and a 4-2 non-league victory at ECIC Division III champion Depew on Friday, May 18.

Jamestown defeated North, 5-1, in the team's first meeting earlier in the season, but North was ready for the rematch, pounding out 14 hits.

Lauren O'Brien led the North attack with two doubles, a single, three RBIs, and three runs scored.

Tricia Kennery supported her pitching by smashing a three run home run. Erica Stricko had three hits and three RBIs. Kristin Ball scored two runs and did a great job behind the plate.

Against Depew, Kennery had another strong outing on the mound, scattering nine hits and two runs and striking out 11. Kennery helped herself offensively as she had two hits and scored two runs. Kaitlyn McNally and Kayleigh Galliher each had a double and Morgan McDowell had two hits while Kerri Bubar had a single and two sacrifice bunts for a perfect day at the plate.

North travels to Williamsville South for a game against the very talented Lady Billies on Wednesday,

May 23. North coach Rick Bubar sees this as a great opportunity to prepare for the playoffs.

North will play a yet-to-be determined opponent in the sectional quarterfinals on Friday, May 25. The seeding meeting was Tuesday evening, after The Bee had already gone to press.

North finished their ECIC Division I league schedule 9-5 and in a third place tie with Frontier. The Lady Spartans are 13-9 overall. Offensively, North's leaders are Kerry Ulmer (.435 batting average), O'Brien (27 hits), McNally and O'Brien (five doubles each), and Kennery (three triples, 16 RBIs, one home run with Amanda Maraschiello). Kennery is also anchoring the pitching staff with a 10-5 record, 126 strikeouts in 101 innings, and only 12 walks.