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Right Approach

North Collins Knocks Off Panama In Class D Semis

Panama’s Elle Angeletti, middle, applies the tag on North Collins’ Morgan Lawton after a rundown in Thursday’s Section VI Class D semifinal softball game at Deb Palmer Field. At left is Abi Lisciandro of the Lady Panthers. P-J photos by Cody Crandall

PANAMA – Heading into Tuesday’s Section VI Class D softball final, the third-seeded North Collins Lady Eagles may just be clicking on all cylinders.

Backed by a complete game in the circle and eight strikeouts from junior captain Rebecca Cyrek and contributions all throughout the batting order, North Collins rolled to a 12-1 win over No. 2 Panama in a semifinal matchup at Deb Palmer Field, bringing an end to the Lady Panthers’ remarkable season on the diamond.

“It just wasn’t our night,” Panama coach Tammy Hosier said following the win. “We just couldn’t get it (going). We didn’t give up, we kept positive, we just couldn’t get the bats going, we hit to people. I mean, (North Collins) played a great game. You’ve got to give credit to them. They hit the ball everywhere, great hits, the pitcher had a great game.”

On the road in a big game, getting off to a good start is of the utmost importance, which is exactly what North Collins did.

In fact, the Lady Eagles plated eight runs in the game’s first three innings, putting Panama in a hole it couldn’t recover from.

Panama second baseman Lauren Barmore catches a pop fly. P-J photo by Cody Crandall

The biggest blow was a two-run blast over the left field fence from No. 9 hitter Bailey Romano, which at the time extended North Collins’ lead to 8-0.

“They are very patient,” North Collins coach Jan Warren said when asked about the Lady Eagles’ approach at the plate. “They make the pitcher throw strikes, they don’t swing at a lot of bad pitches and when they hit the ball, they hit it hard. They’re very patient and selective about what they hit and they do a great job. This isn’t just today. This has been going on for a long time and we’ve been hitting and we’re in a position we want to be.”

Cyrek (two hits), Morgan Lawton (three hits), Morgan Mathis (two hits) and Romano (two hits) all keyed the balance offensive attack for the Lady Eagles.

“This is just game in and game out, it isn’t the same players every game,” Warren emphasized. “But it’s somebody every game. … I mean, they’re all doing a great job and they’re all contributing and they’re all keeping their heads about them and playing as hard as they can.”

While the Lady Eagles were having a great deal of success at the plate, Cyrek was also doing a masterful job of mixing her pitches and mixing zones against the talented Panama offense.

Panama’s Ashlyn Harvey delivers to the plate in Thursday’s Section VI Class D semifinal against North Collins. P-J photo by Cody Crandall

“I think that she moves the ball around,” Warren said. “Up, down, in and out. She also changes speeds and keeps them off-balance. And she’s not afraid to challenge the big hitters from the other team. … She’s been doing it all year long.”

For Panama, the lone run came courtesy of an RBI double from Jessica Mistretta in the bottom of the seventh inning, which scored Ashlyn Harvey, who began the frame with a lead-off double. Also, Marra Hovey (double) had two hits, and Tara Sweeney and Francine Torres both singled.

Torres and Harvey saw time in the circle for the Lady Panthers in defeat.

“We had a great season,” Hosier said. “I started coaching in 2012, we’ve been in the sectional semifinals for every year except for one. We’ve got to get over that hump. … They do feed off each other and they’re a great group of kids. … Next year, we’re going to get to that sectional final.”

NOTES: North Collins will take on the winner of today’s other semifinal matchup between No. 1 Franklinville and No. 4 Forestville…The sectional final is scheduled for Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Prommenschenkle Park in Dunkirk. … Hosier was quick to commend the work of her senior class, which consists of Sweeney and Torres.

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