'Major' White Sox edge Braves in first round of playoffs

The "Major" White Sox came to play in the first round of the Amherst Girls Softball League playoffs against a Braves team who beat the White Sox convincingly in the teams' first regular season game. The White Sox won 13-10.

Solid pitching, strong hitting and key defensive plays carried the White Sox to a playoff victory. It was the best all-around team effort this season.

Michelle Haumesser pitched the first three innings and racked up four strikeouts while limiting the Braves to only three runs scored. Tori Mendiola came in the fourth and pitched the game's final four innings. The Braves would continually fake bunt on the first few pitches in an attempt to disrupt Mendiola's concentration, however, Mendiola worked through it and finished the game with six strikeouts. Two of those strikeouts came in the bottom of the seventh as the Braves were mounting a comeback. The Braves had two runs already across the plate and had two more runners on base but Mendiola struck out the final two Braves to seal the victory.

The other side of the White Sox battery, catcher Claire Haumesser, picked off five runners over the course of the game, two in the first inning. Three Braves were caught stealing second, one stealing third and one was picked off at first after taking too big of a leadoff.

Most of the game's offense and runs came in the fifth inning for both teams. The White Sox were able to produce eight runs off six hits in the top of the inning. The Braves came back and scored five runs but it was not enough to catch the White Sox.

Mendiola not only pitched a great game but also provided some important and timely offense. She went 2 for 2 with three RBIs and scored three runs for the White Sox. Other White Sox pitcher Michelle Haumesser contributed as well, hitting 2 for 4 with a triple but it was her four RBIs that really helped the White Sox to victory. Abbey Staebell, who played at first and third base, went 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

Shortstop Joslin Downey provided an RBI and hit 2 for 4, which included a triple in the exciting fifth inning. Lara Macdonald scored a run for the White Sox while providing a hit in three trips to the plate. Nicole Dukarm scored two runs as did Julie Brady.