East softball improves record in ECIC Division II

Williamsville East's softball team improved to 8-1 in ECIC Division II and 11-3-1 overall with victories last week over West Seneca East, 2-1, Sweet Home, 4-0, and Lake Shore, 4-0.

East's game against West Seneca East, played last Tuesday at Transit Middle School, avenged an earlier loss in the season.

West Seneca East scored an unearned run in the first inning but East bounced back in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Rachelle Arenos singled and scored from first base on an Ally Kotz opposite field hit to right field. The ball got past the fielder and the throw to the plate was not in time for a diving Arenos.

Another run was scored in the third when leadoff batter Bridget Steele singled, moved to second on a sacrifice from Jessica Windnagle and Courtney Hawkins singled to left center, scoring Steele for the game winning hit.

Karen Kingsley went the distance, allowing four hits and striking out seven.

East coach Ron Schumacher said defense was the key to the win as the outfield made several tremendous catches, robbing batters of hits.

"After the first inning, we played flawlessly," said Schumacher.

The Lady Flames blanked Sweet Home last Wednesday at Sweet Home.

Meagan Allers pitched a one-hitter.

East got in trouble in the bottom of the first when Sweet Home had runners on second and third with on out. The runner at third was thrown out as she tried to score on a ground ball to Hawkins at shortstop.

Schumacher said Allers settled down and the defense stepped up to keep runners from scoring.

"Although recording only four strikeouts, Allers kept batters off by changing her speed and pitch location," said Schumacher.

East scored in the second. Taylor Klun singled, moved to second on a Windnagle sacrifice and to third on an Arenos' single. With two outs, Arenos attempted to steal second and drew a throw and Jessica Moulin, courtesy running for Klun, scored from third as Arenos was stopped in the base path. The throw to the plate was late.

Two more runs scored in the third. Steele singled, moved to second on a fielding error, stole third, and scored on a Windnagle single.

Hawkins singled Windnagle to second, a fielding error from Klun moved her to third and Chelsea Horne (3 for 3) singled her in.

Kelly Rusin singled in the fourth but was forced to second on a soft fly ball that dropped into center field by Steele. Windnagle doubled to left center to score Steele. Windnagle doubled to left center to score Steele.

Windnagle finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

Amanda Cannizzo hit 2 for 3 to lead Sweet Home. Jillian Reeser recorded 10 putouts at first base. Jesse Lewandowski recorded two putouts and four assists at third base.

Kingsley came within two outs of pitching a no-hit game on Friday against Lake Shore. Kingsley faced only 23 batters and struck out four.

With one out in the seventh, Lake Shore hit a single down the third base line for the only hit. Schumacher said the Lady Flames' defense played solidly behind her.

East scored in the top of the second. Klun singled and stole second to start the inning and Kingsley doubled her in.

Three more runs were scored in the seventh. Arenos laid down a perfect bunt to third for a single, moved to second on a single by Kotz and stole third. A ground ball to third by Steele and the throw to home got Arenos out at the plate.

Windnagle singled home Kotz and Hawkins singled in Steele and Windnagle.

The win gave East an 8-1 record and a tie with Hamburg for first place in ECIC Division II. East beat Hamburg, 7-6, on Monday for the top spot in the league.

East plays at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Williamsville South, against Iroquois at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Transit Middle School and at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at Williamsville North.

Sweet Home

The Lady Panthers were shut out by East but blanked Iroquois, 4-0, on Friday at Iroquois.

Natalie Vazquez starting the scoring off in the third inning. Vazquez walked, moved on a sacrifice bunt by Heather Kolbas, and scored from an overthrow by the first baseman.

The Lady Panthers finished their scoring in the fifth. Kelly Weber walked with one out and Vazquez ripped a double to drive her in. Vazquez moved to third base after a passed ball by the catcher. Kolbas was hit by a pitch, forcing a first and third situation.

After Kolbas stole second, Cannizzo hit a sacrifice fly to score Vazquez. This allowed Jess Forti to hit Kolbas in for the third run of the inning. Vazquez hit 2 for 2 with two runs, two walks and a RBI.

Cannizzo pitched a three-hit shutout.

Sweet Home (5-9, 3-5) hosted Lake Shore on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday at West Seneca East, hosts Amherst at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday and Hamburg at 5 p.m. on Friday. They open next week at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 19 against Williamsville South.