Amherst Girls Softball
Minor 'A' Angels' offense too much for Red Sox

The Angels' Lexi Mulone was a perfect 6 for 6 at the plate and scored three runs, Ellie Garrity contributed five hits and four runs scored, and Megan Fish had four hits, including a double in the first inning, as the Minor "A" Angels defeated the Red Sox, 18-3, in an Amherst Girls Softball Minor "A" softball game.

Jamie Zwink and Brianna Reaser also had five hits each, while Olivia Faracca and Morgan Simon chipped in four hits apiece and Miranda Fish had three hits and scored three runs.

In the field, Simon, Mulone and Megan Fish teamed up to record three outs on the bases. In the third inning, Simon fielded a grounder and threw to Mulone at first in time to beat the runner. In the fifth, Megan Fish scooped up a hot shot to short and threw to Simon covering third to get the lead runner. In the sixth, Mulone chased down a grounder and threw to Megan Fish at first to record the second out of the inning.

Kylie Smith and Sydney Hall had outstanding efforts for the Red Sox. The Angels had loaded the bases in the top of the fifth with no outs but were limited to one run in the inning when the pair teamed up to record two outs at the plate. Smith had to react quickly on consecutive plays to field two hard grounders, throwing to Hall covering home to beat the Angel base runners. Smith also recorded three unassisted outs at first base.

Maribeth Vain and Sydney Sadkin also provided the Red Sox strong defensive play throughout the game. Smith and Hall were each 3 for 3 at the plate, while Vain, Abby Gnozzo, Anna Zuefle, Olivia Sharf and Jessica Weaver contributed two hits each.

' AAA'

Mudcats 11, Volcanoes 2

The Mudcats erupted with a victory over the Volcanoes. Michelle Miranda led the way for the Mudcats in the field and at the plate. Mudcat starting pitcher Laura Matthews kept the Volcanoes from erupting, and Allison Fenter got the save for coach Craig Fenter's team.

The Mudcats got all-around great play from Katie Arthur, Angel Criden, Haley Ernst, Samantha Fenter, Alexa Jadoch, Anna Kistner, Jennifer Miranda, Jessie Rohl and Gabi Smith.

Starring at the plate for the Volcanoes were Mary Ann Webb, Emma Reidell, Lily Cole and Emily Powlowski. Rachel Whalen and Jordan Weinstein pitched two strong innings for the Volcanoes. Emily Bitka was strong in the field with a double play.

Grasshoppers 10, Mudcats 2

Everything was working under the lights for the Grasshoppers on Friday, May 18.

Kerry Hughes and her team were strong at the plate and in the field.

The Grasshoppers also had excellent pitching that slowed down the hot-hitting Mudcats.

Samantha Fenter, Jessie Rohl, Michelle Miranda and Jennifer Miranda played solid in the field for the Mudcats. Katie Arthur, Alex Jadoch, Anna Kistner and Samantha Klinkman played well at the plate.

Angel Criden had the play of the game in the field when she caught a pop fly with the bases loaded to end the Grasshoppers' run in the fourth inning.

Allison Fenter pitched three strong innings for the Mudcats, including a 1-2-3 second. Samantha Fenter pitched a strong first inning.

'Majors'

Angels 19, Braves 10

The Angels scored six runs in the first inning and seven more in the second inning to propel them to a 19-10 win over the Braves.

Bayle Cruz and Krista Rasey led the Angels' offense, with Cruz driving in six runs with a triple and two doubles and Rasey adding two doubles and a single.

Blair Pembleton and Sarah Rupp also had two hits apiece, and Kelly Stockman had a double for the Angels.

Defensively, the Angels received solid pitching from Rasey, Stockman and Laura Zaprowski, as well as good defensive plays from Megan Kerr and Danielle Carrow, including a fine running catch in outfield.

After being down by 13 runs, the Braves battled back and scored six runs in the second inning. The key hit was a bases-loaded double by Anna Heintzman that plated three Braves' runs.

Catherine O'Brien, Megan Schleicher and Becca Deschner also hit well for the Braves, and good defensive plays were made by Jane Truesdell and Ashley MacComber.

Angels 17, Rangers 3

The Angels scored six runs in the third inning and another six in the fourth to break open a close game in a 17-3 win over the Rangers.

Danielle Carrow led the Angels' offense with three hits that drove in five runs. Kelly Stockman and Jessica Lynett added two hits apiece, and Megan Kerr scored three runs for the Angels.

The Angels received solid pitching from Lynett, Laura Zaprowski and Krista Rasey. The Rangers received good pitching from Emma O'Connor and got good hitting from O'Connor (two hits), Emily Ludwig and Mary Kate Comer. Julia Collins also played well for the Rangers, making several nice defensive plays.

Rangers 26, Brewers 3

Playing through rain showers, the Rangers defeated the Brewers.

The Rangers' Emily Ludwig was flawless at first base and earned the team three RBIs. Courtney Kramer had a base hit on three of her four at-bats and earned the team three RBIs. Paige Burkard pitched a great game, allowing only three runs. Other strong defensive plays by Danielle Gaulin and Kelly Farrell aided the win.

Rangers 8, Cubs 6

The Rangers' Julia Collins hit a stand-up triple. Paige Burkard hit in four runs. Emma O'Connor had two RBIs and pitched well. Mary Kate Comer finished the game on the mound and made key fielding plays to end the game on top.

White Sox 14, Devil Rays 3

The White Sox received great pitching en route to a victory over the Devil Rays. Michelle Haumesser had three strikeouts, while Audrey Yu produced one strikeout and allowed no hits in her one inning of service.

Abbey Staebel recorded two strikeouts in her one inning, and Tori Mendiola pitched two strong innings while going 2 for 2 at the plate.

Joslin Downey was 3 for 3, Clare Costello was 2 for 3 and Ashley Bogan scored two runs.

White Sox 17, Rangers 8

Strong pitching was a key for the White Sox, with Tori Mendiola recording five strikeouts in two innings pitched and Audrey Yu recording eight strikeouts in three innings pitched.

The team exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning to decide the game. The team's offense came from Joslin Downey (3 for 5, triple), Claire Haumesser (2 for 4) and Lara Macdonald (2 for 4). Julie Brady crossed the plate three times during the game.

Braves 12, Marlins 1

Jane Truesdell started the Braves' hitting with a single to center field and scored three runs. Becca Deschner and Amy Lavere each scored a run and provided dynamite defense.

Lauren Wehner went 2 for 4 and scored two runs while Ashley Mac- Comber and Catherine O'Brien combined for eight strikeouts.

The Marlins' Nicole Infanti provided passionate pitching while teammates Michelle Lonski, Tory Trzyna, Chelsea Loomis and Susie George supplied strong defense.

Braves 15, Orioles 3

Lexi White scored four runs for the Braves. Anna Heintzman went 3 for 4 with a clutch triple.

Heintzman, Jane Truesdell and White made a positive contribution in their pitching debuts.

The Orioles got four strikeouts by Haley Stogsdill and solid play at first base from Sabrina Liponski,

Braves 15, Diamond Backs 2

Anna Heintzman anchored the Braves' offense, hitting 4 for 4 and scoring three runs. Ashley Mac- Comber followed with three singles and four runs. Marley Weinstein quietly contributed two runs.

Julia Lynch supplied tenacious defense for the Braves with acrobatic catches at third base and left field. Megan Schleicher and Jessica Lawson both played first base flawlessly.

'Minor'

Rivercats tie Knights

The Rivercats played a great game against the Knights, ending in a tie.

The Rivercats' defense did an outstanding job, with excellent plays at first base by Lauren McGrath and Marah O'Connor, outs by Cecilia Rapp at pitcher and Emma Donaldson at shortstop. Excellent at-bats were provided Christina Siragusa and Joli Lederman.

The Knights' defense rocked with excellent plays by Heather Krahel, Alia Zeid and Jennie Kingsley.

' AA'

Bats 16, Storm 7

Kady Ziminski started the Storm's inning off getting to first base with a terrific hit to the outfield. Ziminski's hit was followed by hits from Kristin Sickau and Leah Marsack. Nora Marris and Angela Gerth of the Bats were terrific at fielding balls along with the Storm's Ashleigh Lymburner and Joelle Giambra, who made two outs at third base to finish the second inning.

The Storm also showed great defensive plays by Stacey Brown and Nicole Stuber, who worked as a team to make an out at second. Izzy Lynch, Theresa Gerth and Olivia Gamziukas of the Bats kept the hits going in the third to rally runs in.