Sanborn, NY - The softball team traveled to Niagara Community College this weekend to face the No. 2 Thunderwolves in the sub-regional round. The two teams met during the regular season where Niagara took home the two wins 7-2 and 8-5. Onondaga entered the sub-regional round as the No. 7 ranked underdogs.
Game 1:
Onondaga came out hungry at 1pm putting the first three runners on base, and went up first on the board on an RBI from
Bianca DeSellems. The Lazers left two runners in scoring position and headed out to defend with
Trista DeLong to start on the mound in game 1. DeLong and the Lazer defense got it done keeping the Thunderwolves scoreless in the 1st.
The Lazer offense strung together 5 runs in the 2nd on consistent base hits and RBIs from the top half of the lineup,
Sophia D'Arcangelis,
Avree Salce,
Bianca DeSellems, and
Carley Cinquemani. Taking care of business on defense, the Lazers entered the 3rd leading 6-0.
Unable to convert baserunners in the 3rd, the Lazers were scoreless, giving Niagara a chance to slim the lead. Niagara loaded the bases up after a Lazer error and scoring 2 runners in the 3rd gaining momentum. DeLong got herself a ground out with runners in scoring position, keeping Onondaga's lead and a chance to score more.
Kendall Cuyler knocked a base hit double with 2 outs in the 4th with a chance to to regain some of their lead.
Jenna Mills stung a line drive to score Cuyler for a 7-2 lead and another scoreless bottom of the inning for Niagara.
Onondaga's offense fell flat in the 5th and 6th inning, unable to produce baserunners. The Lazers gave up a run in the 5th for a 7-3 lead in the 7th. With Onondaga as the visiting team, they had the first at-bats. Wanting to secure the victory, their offense regained its momentum stringing together 3 runs all with 2 outs and a 2-run RBI from
Zoe White. Onondaga led 10-3 with Niagara's last at-bats in sight.
After a walk and two base hits, Niagara loaded up the bases with no outs. Finding the kinks in the Lazer defense, the Thunderwolves strung together 4 runs. But DeLong stayed composed drawing a pop up for the last out and a 10-7 victory in the 7th. DeLong finished with 7 strikeouts and
Sophia D'Arcangelis went 4-5 from the plate..
Game 2:
Onondaga entered game 2 as the home team, defending first with
Bianca DeSellems on the mound. Niagara capitalized with first-ups scoring 2 runs with 2 outs. Onondaga responded with 1 of their own after a stand-up triple from
Avree Salce and a sacrifice bunt from
Zoe White.
After a scoreless 2nd inning and another Niagara run in the top of the 3rd, Onondaga trailed 3-1 and had to regain their offensive momentum. They did just that putting up 9 base hits and causing 5 Niagara errors resulting in 11 Lazer runs in the 3rd, leading 12-3. and a chance to mercy rule in 5 innings.
But it wouldn't be so easy as the Niagara bats continued to find ball and sloppy defense allowing 2 runs for Niagara and a scoreless bottom of the 4th. Head Coach, Bob Bates wasted no time putting DeLong back on the mound in the 4th for a chnace to end their rally. The Lazers gave up 6 in the 5th giving Niagara a shot to regain their lead back the lead with a 12-11 score. With the Thunderwolves adjusted to DeLong's pitching and in position to score, Bates went to Freshman,
Aubrey Fraher to shut them out. This was Fraher's first field appearance since Mid-April her season halted due to a shoulder injury. Fraher drew a pop up to get out of the inning and an opportunity for the Lazers to score some insurance runs.
Unable to convert, Onondaga was scoreless in the 5th, having to hold the Thunderwolves again. Fraher did just that, drawing a fly ball, a pop-up, and a line drive with a game-saving snag from
Kendall Cuyler at 3rd base. Unable to score any in the 6th, the Lazers went out to defend in the 7th with a 1-run lead. Not risking putting the tying run on base, Fraher drew a pop-up to herself for the first out from Niagara's leading hitter. With a ground out to
Kendall Cuyler, the Lazers were down to the last out. A pop-up to shallow center field gave Niagara some hope, until Shortstop,
Emma Kelly had a game ending dive for the third out, ending the No. 2 seed's season with a 2-game sweep, and advancing to the Region 3b championship.
Onondaga will travel to Herkimer Community College to play the No. 3 Generals for the Regional Championship and a spot in the 2023 NJCAA Softball World Series. The first game of the series will kick off at 2pm. Onondaga is 1-2 against the Generals this season.
For the latest news on the OCC softball program, follow @occsoftball on Instagram. You can keep up with all OCC Athletics by following us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @OnondagaLazers.
