North softball loses in sectional semifinals

Thursday, May 31 at Clarence. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville North varsity softball team lost their Section VI Class AA semifinal game at Clarence, 7-1, on Thursday, May 24 to bring an end to their season. The Lady Spartans finished 15-11 overall record and 9-5 in ECIC Division I which left them tied for third place.

North could only manage two hits against Clarence pitcher Jen Sansano. Clarence scored three runs in the third and North could never recover.

The Lady Spartans, seeded sixth, started the week playing at third-seed Lancaster in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, May 22. The bats were hot as North pounded 17 hits.

North scored four runs in the top of the first inning against Lancaster, the ECIC Division I co-champions. Corrin Genovese started the rally by singling hard to left field. Kerry Ulmer then smashed a single to right field, putting runners at first and third base. Tricia Kennery singled, scoring Genovese. Caitlin Riegel ran for Kennery and promptly stole second base, putting runners at second and third. Kristen Weber followed with a single to right field, scoring Ulmer and Riegel. Weber went to second on the throw home and scored on a single by Erica Stricko.

Lancaster responded by scoring a run in the bottom of the second to make the score 4-1 after two. North answered back by scoring a run in the top of the third. Ulmer started the inning with a single and scored on a double by Weber to make the score 5-1.

Lancaster answered back again by scoring four runs of their own to tie the game at 5-5 after three innings of play. The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth when Lancaster plated two runs to go ahead 7-5.

In the top of the seventh, North scored two runs to tie the game. Genovese started the rally by doubling down the left field line on the first pitch. Ulmer followed with a walk, putting runners at first and second. Kennery singled scoring Genovese and moving Ulmer to third. Ulmer then scored on a throwing error to force the tie.

In the top of the eighth, Krissy Flierl singled to left field and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren O'Brien. Genovese singled, putting runners on first and third. Genovese stole second and both runners scored on a single by Ulmer. Kennery retired Lancaster in order in the seventh and eighth to preserve the win.

North will graduate six seniors - captains Ulmer, O'Brien, and McNally, as well as Flierl, Liz Dutweiler, and Morgan McDowell. Ulmer led the team with a .457 batting average and a slugging percentage of .600. O'Brien finished with a .322 batting average and led the team in runs scored (21) and hits (29). McNally was second on the team in RBIs (11) and finished her season by hitting a home run in her last at-bat against Clarence. Flierl finished with a batting average of .385 and a playoff batting average .429. McDowell is a very versatile player who played flawlessly at first base when needed and also contributed in the outfield. Detailer played all three outfield positions.

"Their leadership and ability will be very difficult to replace," said North coach Rick Bubar.