North blanks OP in playoffs

Williamsville North opened the 2007 Section VI softball tournament in fine fashion, defeating Orchard Park, 6-0, in a Class AA prequarterfinal game on Thursday, May 24.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Winning pitcher Tricia Kennery opened with a walk, Kaitlyn McNally followed with a single, and Amanda Maraschiello delivered a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners to second and third. Erica Stricko followed with a fielder's choice, gunning down Caitlin Riegel who was running for Kennery at home. Kristen Weber followed with an RBI single, scoring McNally and giving the Lady Spartans the early lead.

The fifth inning provided the breakout the Lady Spartans were looking for as they scored three times. Lauren O'Brien opened with a single to left field. Robin Kennery followed with a sacrifice bunt that was misplayed, allowing both runners to be safe. Tricia Kennery followed with a single, scoring O'Brien and moving her sister to third, who scored on a fielder's choice. Stricko then singled to right center for the third run of the inning.

The Lady Spartans received some insurance runs in the sixth inning. Corrin Genovese opened the inning with an infield single and O'Brien continued her hot hitting as she lined a shot to the left center field gap for a two-run home run. Kerry Ulmer also hit a triple in the inning but was stranded on third. North finished with nine hits.

Tricia Kennery was masterful on the mound as she held Orchard Park to just one hit in the first inning. Kennery finished with six strikeouts and didn't allow a walk for her second shutout of the season.

The Lady Spartans, seeded sixth, played at third-seeded Lancaster in a quarterfinal game on Tuesday, May 29 but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press.