×

Maple Grove Rallies Past Randolph In C2

BEMUS POINT — No. 2 Maple Grove was able to weather a four-run push by No. 3 Randolph in the third inning of Tuesday’s Section VI Class C2 semifinal, fighting back with runs in the fifth and sixth on the way to a 9-5 victory.

The Lady Red Dragons improve to 15-2 on the year and now have a Thursday 6 p.m. meeting with No. 8 Cassadaga Valley at St. Bonaventure University.

Even after falling into a four-run hole early, Maple Grove coach Rebecca Zimmerman knew that her team had the experience to claw its way back into contention.

“I tried to keep their composure and just told them that they’ve done this at least four or five times this season, come from deficits,” Zimmerman said.

“We’ve done that against Forestville, Brocton, Cassadaga (Valley),” Zimmerman added. ” … We did it in Florida so they had that experience and I think that helped them.”

No one played a bigger part in keeping the hosts composed than pitcher Lynne Nordin.

A fifth-year varsity starter, the senior finished with two strikeouts and no walks as she did her best to force outs in the field against a talented Cardinals lineup.

“Lynne did a great job because Randolph came out firing with their offense,” said Zimmerman. “Right off the bat they had two really hard-driven balls to left field. After seeing that, some pitchers might start to lose confidence, but Lynne had confidence in herself and, because our defense backed her up so well, she had confidence in that.”

Randolph took the early lead, however, courtesy of a four-run third inning. Randolph began with a double hit through the gap by Miranda Waterman. Following behind Waterman was Kyra Pence with a bunt single, Mya Abrams with a single, Abbigail Mansfield with a single, Brynn Pagett with a sacrifice fly to right field and Kendall Steward with an RBI single for the fourth and final run of that inning.

“We had told them right from the beginning that we expected that kind of game,” said Randolph coach Geoff Olson. “We expected both of us to hit the ball and my assistant coach and I talked and just said, ‘It’s going to come down to who makes the plays and who finds the holes when they are hitting.’ I think at the end of the game they found the holes.”

Maple Grove quickly answered Randolph’s rally in the bottom of the third. Kelsey Tarbrake and Clare Crossley bunted, which brought Sammy Davis to the plate. Davis sent Tarbrake home with an RBI single that fell just inside the left foul line, after which Sarah Berg reached first base on a fielder’s choice. Elise Swanson followed with a two-run double and Berg scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Meghann Nolan against Mansfield.

The Cardinals got their offense working once again in the fourth as Nikole Lockwood started things off with a double to center and she would later score on a bunt single by Waterman while Abrams would add another single before Nordin could end the inning.

“They came back to tie it up 4-4, we took the lead, and after that they found more holes than us. I think both teams hit the ball well, hit it hard all the way through, (and) both played pretty solid defense,” said Olson.

Maple Grove’s Lauren Grissom smacked a two-RBI double in the fifth and added another run for Maple Grove, sprinting home on a passed ball to make it 7-5 for the hosts.

The Cardinals appeared primed for a rally following singles by Pence and Abrams in the sixth inning, but failed to plate any runs while Nolan and Swanson each had RBI doubles to give Maple Grove a cushion in the bottom half.

Maple Grove will now try to beat Cassadaga Valley for the third time this year.

“We have faced Cassadaga in the past but it is hard to beat a team three times in one season,” said Zimmerman. “I told my girls to make sure they are ready to work hard tomorrow, because anyone can take this game on Thursday.”

NOTES: Mansfield ended the day with four walks and one hit batter in the circle for Randolph. … Swanson was 3 for 4 on the day with a double and three RBIs while Nolan was 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBIs to pace Maple Grove’s offense. … Abrams was 3 for 4 with an RBI and Lockwood 3 for 4 with a double. … Randolph ends the year at 13-8.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today