By JOHN ANDERSON
Class B2 Semifinals: No. 1 Wellsville 12, No. 4 Mynderse 2
WELLSVILLE – The parking lots were full. There was a cookout, a volleyball game, cornhole and plenty of music from the trucks and a sound system.
Oh yeah, and there was a Section V Semifinal softball game going on as well at Tullar Field.
In another feather in the cap to the community support for the Wellsville Lions Varsity Softball team, a huge — and fun — crowd came out to see the Lions advance to the Section V, Class B2 finals with a convincing win over No. 4 Mynderse, 12-2.
In Class B1, No. 1 Batavia (14-7) will play No. 2 Waterloo (15-7) at 11 a.m. at Webster Schroeder. In the Class B2 finals at 2 p.m., No. 1 Wellsville (18-3) will play No. 2 Bath-Haverling (15-3).
The winners will play Tuesday to determine the overall Class B champion to advance to the Far West Regional on Saturday, June 4 against the Section VI champion.
“We came out of the gates really well, swung the bats well and put pressure on them,” said Wellsville coach Matt Burke. “You can’t ask for anything more than scoring four runs in the first and five runs in the second. Once you get a couple runs on the board I think you play with a lot more confidence.”
Brazen Beckwith (two hits) and Makenzie Cowburn (two doubles) hit two-RBI doubles in the first inning to set the offensive pace.
“Makenna Dunbar (3-for-3, and Lindsay Stuck (triple, double, 4 RBI’s) had three hits each hitting in the six and seven hole. It’s quite a luxury to have good hitters right through the order,” Burke said. “We came up with hits with runners in scoring position. If we continue to do that, we have a chance to be successful. Everyone in the order gets good swings and I like to call them competitive at bats. They make the pitcher work to get them out and that’s what we have through our order.”
Sawyer Burke had a RBI single, scored a run and stole a base while Natalie Adams had a hit, Emma Dunaway had a RBI, Kaylie Fuller stole two bases and scored twice, Hailey Lanphier stole a base and Averee Palmitier scored two runs.
On the mound, Cowburn was flawless, striking out 13 with just one walk.
“Kenzie is a competitor. She came out and she was ready to go to work and it showed,” Burke said. “It’s quite apparent she rises to the occasion and really looks forward to big competition.”
Faith Rhinehart, Kirsten Lajewski (run) and Bridget Miller (run) had hits for Mynderse.
“Mynderse (10-7) is a solid team, we were fortunate to play well and beat them,” Burke added
Bath-Haverling won 5-0 over Penn Yan to advance. Burke said the Lions earned this trip to the finals.
“I’m really happy for our kids. It will be exciting for them to play in that game,” Burke said. “Our players worked hard to get to this point and they deserve it. And they will have an opportunity to show what they can do in that game.”
As for the crowd, Burke added, “The community support we get for Wellsville softball is second-to-none. It is really, really impressive how many people come out to support this team. Other teams enjoy coming here because of the atmosphere.”
Mynderse 000 020 0 – 2 3 2
Wellsville 451 011 X – 12 12 0
MYN – Morgan O’Brien (LP) (K, 6BB), Lauren McDermott (K, BB), and Julia Trickler.
WLSV – Makenzie Cowburn (WP) (13K, BB), Marissa Ordway (7) (2K), and Brazen Beckwith
