Mel Ott 'Minor' Racers double up Bandits, Heat

The Mel Ott "Minor" softball Racers were twice as better on the scoreboard than their opponents in recent games.

Racers 8, Bandits 4

The Racers started off fast with three runs in the first inning by Alyssa Orrico, Melanie Izard and Emma Burke. The Bandits came back with a run by Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick.

In the second, the pitchers were hot as neither team scored a run.

In the third, Orrico and Izard scored again, along with Alexa Archambault, for a 6-1 lead. Brianna Spence continued her great pitching to keep the Bandits at bay.

In the fourth, the Racers were held scoreless by hurler Jillian Stenzil. The Bandits came out hitting and scored three times, bringing in Jessica Pierce, Alex Nowak and Maddie Cooper to close the gap to 6-4.

In the final inning, Taylor Sinclair and Sarah Raimondi scored for the Racers. Spence, a pitching ace, completed her full game with three quick outs. During the game, great hits were provided by Spence (single, double), Burke (single, double), Archambault (thrown out at third trying to extend a hit to a triple), Izard (two singles), Sinclair (two singles), Genny Boucher (single) and Alana Zendano (single).

Analiese Piccillo cracked a ball to the outfield but it was caught for an out. Marisa Cieri was stellar at second and Katie Fortman made nice plays from center field and third.

Racers 16, Heat 8

The Racers beat the Heat with all of their players scoring at least one run.

Jenna Patterson of the Heat started off hot, striking out two of the Racers' first five batters and holding them scoreless. The Heat proceeded to score three times with Ashley Decker starting off the rally.

The second inning was the opposite as Analiese Piccillo and Katie Fortman both scored and the Heat were stuck on base, ending the inning with a 3-2 edge.

In the third inning, Sarah Raimondi scored for the Racers to tie the score at 3-3. However, the Heat came back with a run in the bottom of the inning as Isabella Calloway scored for the 4-3 lead.

The fourth inning brought three runs for the Racers as Melanie Izard, Alexa Archambault and Raimondi scored, giving the team a 6-4 lead.

The Heat came right back as Emily Dunne, Jenna Patterson and Maria Frascatore scored, giving the Heat a 7-6 advantage.

The Racers kept fighting back, scoring three more runs in the top of the fifth, with Piccillo, Fortman and Alana Zendano coming home to give the Racers a 9-7 edge. The Heat was held scoreless by hurler Archambault.

In the top of the sixth, the Racers unloaded for seven runs with Izard, Emma Burke, Genny Boucher, Marisa Cieri, Brianna Spence, Fortman and Zendano coming in.

The Heat loaded the bases and scored a run, but three strikeouts by Archambault ended the game.

Heat 11, Riptides 8 The Heat's Lauren Downen struck for two hits and scored a run as the team held off a late rally by the Riptides. Downen was on base in all three at-bats and received the game ball.

Maria Frascatore, Danielle Rambuss and Abigail Frost also scored key runs to help bolster the Heat's offense. Victoria Rigler has gone 10 for 10 over the past five games and has struck out only once during the season.

'Major' softball

Brakettes 12, Sunbirds 9

Pitchers Kristen Milleville of the Brakettes) and Kathyrn Rogemoser of the Sunbirds pitched outstanding games.

'AA' baseball

Reds 18, Red Sox 17

The Reds got three hits and three runs scored from Ryan Scero.

A.J. Marinelli had a double and single but the big blow of the game came from Anthony Crimi, who hit a bases loaded triple.

The Red Sox were led by Nick Wahler (two singles, triple, three runs scored) and Chris Kuchta (two singles, four runs scored).

'AAA' baseball

Red Sox 9, Cardinals 4

Both teams played a great game, but the Red Sox took control of a nip and tuck battle to win.

The game saw great defensive plays and hitting from both sides. The Cardinals still have a chance to advance to the championship game on Wednesday with a win on Monday. Results of the Monday game were unavailable before The Bee went to press. The Red Sox are the top seed.

'Major' baseball

'Dodgers 9, Mets 6

The Dodgers won a first round playoff game over the Mets.

Nick Beresford hit a tie-breaking two run home run in the fourth inning. Austin Vetter hit a solo homer off the foul pole.

Ryan Biggane, Devon Taggart, Jack Jubert and Tommy Wisniewski each had two hits. Tim Lock had two RBIs.

Beresford picked up the win and Biggane earned the save.