By CHRIS BROOKS, managing editor, wellsvillesports.com. Photos of baseball and softball by JC’s Photography
HORNELL — With the arrival of Section V superpower Webster Schroeder waiting on the other side of their Thursday night road trip to Hornell, the Lady Lions of Wellsville were on the hunt for an even bigger burst of momentum to carry into Friday’s Senior Night showdown of the titans at Tullar Field.
In their second and final visit to the Lady Red Raiders, they would go on to do just that without a single instance of hesitation, posting 12 of their 18 total runs right from within the first three innings of action to make their presence known, as they rode the cruise control all the way towards an 18-3 victory in the Maple City.
“We’ve been preaching this entire time to start fast and play with the lead,” said Lady Lions co-coach Shelley Chaffee. “We got comfortable in the box and adjusted to what the pitchers were throwing. If they had to make any adjustments, they did, and all the hits were solid. Yesterday, we had a shortstop that took away most of our plays, and the (Jordyn) Dyring girl for them in the same position did that again to us tonight too. This is also the first time Marissa pitched this season and she did great, so it was nice to see that while giving Makenzie (Cowburn) and Makenna (Dunbar) a little breather before the weekend.”
The Lady Lions (13-1) offense was a five-alarm fire at the plate, as they posted all 18 runs off 21 massive hits — three of them being home runs, as Marissa Ordway first made lift off in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run bomb before Makenzie Cowburn and Lindsay Stuck each went back-to-back with solo homers in the top of the seventh to put an exclamation point on the contest.
Cowburn led the bats with three of them, going 3-for-4 with a double to go with her home run. Stuck and Ordway each scavenged a pair of hits, while Natalie Adams and Averee Palmatier each added a double into the mix.
In the circle, the win was Ordway’s to claim, as she went the distance with eight strikeouts and a pair of walks.
For Hornell, Kaidence Gollnitz led the bats with two of the team’s eight hits, including a double. On the mound, Raegan Evingham went all seven innings behind a strikeout and five walks.
Wellsville is right back to it tonight, weather permitting, as they return home to historic Tullar Field to welcome in the Webster Schroeder Lady Warriors for Senior Night beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Wellsville 381 210 2 – 18 21 2
Hornell 002 010 0 – 3 8 2
WLSV – Marissa Ordway (WP) (CG, 8K, 2BB) and Lindsay Stuck.
HHS – Raegan Evingham (LP) (CG, K, 5BB) and Parker Graham, Kadience Gollnitz (2).
Hornell baseball story and photos after photo gallery:
BASEBALL
Hornell 12, Keshequa 11 (8 innings)
After a slow start to the season, the Hornell Red Raiders are getting hot at the right time, winning three games including an exciting 12-11 game in extra innings on Thursday night.
Keshequa had go ahead runs in scoring positions, but Hornell kept coming up with great plays on defense, outfield and infield, to force extra innings.
The winning run was scored by Andrew Davis, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two walks. Davis also struck out two batters in relief.
Another strong pitching outing was from senior Pasquale Picco, who struck out three batters in two innings.
McInerney struck out two in relief and was flawless in the extra innings to pick up the win.
Wyatt Evingham had another strong game, going 3-for-5, three stolen bases, a RBI and scored a run. Charlie Oyer (2 RBI’s) Sheamus Khork and Picco each singled and scored.
Brayden Vaughn started on the mound and gave the Red Raiders four strong innings with two strikeouts and only alked one.
For Keshequa, Ryan Fox had two hits and 2 RBI’s while Nolan Therrian had a hit, three runs and 3 RBI’s. Aiden Howe (three runs) and Owen Pike each had two hits.
