By Chris Brooks, wellsvillesports.com
WELLSVILLE — The No. 2 Lady Lions of Wellsville were destined for greatness once again.
Since their return home from Maryland back in the beginning of April, they have been on an absolute roll, having won every single game after their season-opening loss.
Now in the Semifinal round in the Class B bracket, there was no better time for it to continue on.
Up and down the lineup, the bats have been resilient. The pitching, outstanding. With third-seeded Midlakes in town to challenge the defending State Final Four Finalists on Thursday, the Lady Lions knew they had to elevate their game to an even higher bar.
Marissa Ordway would help with that cause tremendously.
With Midlakes and Wellsville going back and forth to start the game, there was some wiggle room to be had for the hosts in orange, as she allowed them to springboard into the driver’s seat with a foundation-constructing home run — a shot that would ultimately lead to even bigger and better things down line for the Lady Lions.
As a result, they punched their tickets to a fourth straight Section V title game, this time, playing for the outright Class B title on Saturday after a 6-2 win over Midlakes.
“It was a great finish for the seniors. Two years undefeated at home at Tullar Field is a remarkable accomplishment, and throughout that, they contributed in many different ways to make sure they were a part of that history,” said Lady Lions co-coach Shelley Chaffee. “You get into the Semifinals and the teams that are left, we know they are going to be great. We had to battle Midlakes and their pitcher in the beginning, and then we started timing her better. Makenzie (Cowburn) started out strong and she was excited in the moment.”
The Lady Lions (19-1) had their bats ripping and roaring, and ready to go to start the night against the Lady Screaming Eagles, as they fought off a strong challenge by the No. 3 seeds out of the gate. In turn, Ordway was the first hitter to hit the scoreboard in thrilling fashion, sending a pitch straight over the fence — a two-run blast in the bottom of the second to allow the hosts to break the ice.
From that point, Wellsville buckled down and ensured their lead would remain intact until the final pitch was thrown, as they added four more runs onto the board — three in the bottom of the third, courtesy of a two-run single blasted by Makenzie Cowburn to lead the way.
After the Lady Lions posted their last run in the fourth, the visitors in light blue looked to jump their way back into the game down the stretch with some late efforts at the dish.
In the last two innings of play, Midlakes accounted for a pair of triples off Cowburn, with their first one accounting for a run in the top of the sixth inning to end Cowburn’s shutout bid. They would add their last in the top half of the seventh with one out, ultimately seeing a run score a short time later before the Wellsville senior phenom in the circle shut the Lady Screaming Eagles bats down for good to close up the victory and the team’s return trip to the Finals for a fourth straight year.
Wellsville posted six runs off a 13-hit wealth at the plate, with three different Lady Lions all posting at least a pair to charge the efforts. Leading the front of the pack were Ordway and Lindsay Stuck, each garnering three hits. Brazen Beckwith chipped in with two of her own and drove in a run.
On the mound, Cowburn went all seven innings by dishing out 13 strikeouts and a walk while holding Midlakes to just three hits.
A very early morning will be in store for the Lady Lions come Saturday, as the No. 2 seeds now hop on the bus and head for Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua to partake in a Finals rematch with top-seeded Bath-Haverling, this time for the entire Class B kit and kaboodle.
First pitch is slated for a 10 a.m. start between both teams.
“It’s certainly been talked about all season long, even though they play game by game,” Chaffee said. “Bath-Haverling is going to want to come back and try to redeem themselves. Our girls have been looking forward to the challenge. We certainly need to prepare for them after last year’s exciting finish. They’re going to want to come back and try to redeem themselves. Our girls are looking forward to the challenge.”
Midlakes 000 001 1 – 2 3 2
Wellsville 023 100 X – 6 13 1
MID – Emma LaBour (LP) (CG, 3K, BB) and Alexis Kopetchny.
WLSV – Makenzie Cowburn (WP) (CG, 13K, BB) and Lindsay Stuck.
