CLOSE UNTIL IT WASN’T-ORISKANY RALLIES FOR 10-3 SOFTBALL WIN OVER REMSEN
Touch em all…. Oriskany’s Savannah Bixler heads home after belting a two run homer in the fifth inning!
Fred Miller-MHTS
4/17
The Oriskany Redskins softball team found themselves in a tighter than expected matchup with coach Michelle Izzo’s Remsen Lady Rams in a Monday matchup in Oriskany.
Good thing the alarm bell sounded early enough to wake up the perennial Center States Conference Divison IV power, as coach Eric Enos saw his troops explode for 7 big runs to run their record to (4-1) on the young season, in this league matchup.
The 10-3 win leaves Oriskany perched atop the league standings and leaves the Rams wondering how this one got away.
The loss drops Remsen to (2-3) on the campaign, in fourth place in the CSC IV standings.
What a beautiful afternoon to play ball in Oriskany. With the temperature hovering in the high 80′s and the sun shinning brightly, a big crowd was on hand to partake in the festivities.
After last week’s miserable “Spring Break” week weather, it was a treat to sit in the sun and enjoy some solid softball.
Meghan Carlo gets ready to deal as she earns another win on the bump.
Speaking of treats. The visitors grabbed a handful from the home team, as they shocked eventual winner Meghan Carlo, by plating two, momentum changing, runs in the visitor’s half of the first inning.
When the dust settled, Carlo, also a member of the Oriskany girls hoops team, dug deep and ended up going the distance to earn the win.
Megan allowed just 2 hits, struck out 5 and walked 5 Rams, to improve to (2-1) on the season.
Back to the great start by the Rams. After striking out leadoff batter Savanna Fox, Carlo had temporary trouble finding the plate, as she hit the next batter Makayla Madsen and then saw Natalia Degristina reach on an error as she grounded to the left side of the infield.
With two on and two out, Hailey Paddock came through in the clutch, ripping a two RBI single to left to send Madsen and Degristina to the dish to make it (2-0) Rams.
Carlo settled down to strike out Morgan Shew to end the Remsen Rally.
Remsen's Sabrina Degristina follows the ball, in flight, in early action in Oriskany.
The Skins responded by sending seven batters to the dish and ended up plating two runs to tie things up (2-2) after one inning of play.
The rally started with two outs, as Remsen starter Lexie LaFave struck out Megan Carlo and Ashley Rueger.
A base hit off the bat of Brandi Zizzi landed in shallow right field and the Redskins were off to the races.
LaFave also went the distance on the mound yielding 6 hits, striking out 4 and walking 4.
Alyssa Balfe ripped an RBI triple, to score Zizzi, to get the home team on the board now trailing (2-1).
Savanah Bixler hit a roller to third that was misplayed, allowing Balfe to scamper home with the second run of the inning to tie things up at (2-2).
Both starters settled into a groove on the bump, as we headed to the home fourth still tied.
That changed as Oriskany made it (3-2) with a run in the fourth. Two members of the Section III Class D championship basketball team, teamed up to bring the run home.
Brandi Zizzi does does some home improvement as she ends up at third.
Jordan Sahl singled to left and coach Eric Enos played small ball by having Shannon “the shot” VanShufflin lay down a perfect sac bunt to move Sahl into scoring position.
Sahl moved to third on a passed ball and speaking of a passed ball, scored when one whizzed past Danielle Manna as she stood at the plate. Sahl’s run made it (3-2) Oriskany.
Remsen let the Redskins know that they would have to work to earn this win, as the Rams quickly answered with a run of their own in the top of the fifth. Oh, those bases on balls.
Savanna Fox worked out a walk to put the tying run on base. Fox didn’t last long on the basepath, as she was gunned down trying to steal by Oriskany catcher Alyssa Balfe.
Makayla Madsen reached on an infield error and came around to score when Natalia Degristina lofted a fly ball to left, that was misplayed, allowing Madsen to score and tie things up (3-3).
The Redskins had seen enough, as they exploded for seven big runs to put this one neatly away in the win column.
Meeting of the minds...Redskins get ready to end this thing.
Twelve batters made their way to the plate as the hits and runs just kept on coming.
When the inning ended Oriskany would lead (10-3). My how things change.
The highlight of the seven run frame came when second basemen Savannah Bixler launched a moon shot to deep center, an in the park two run homer, that made the score (8-3) Oriskany.
From there the Skins coasted home behind the strong arm of Meghan Carlo and the home fans got to head home to enjoy the big win and the rest of a great evening.
Up next for Oriskany is a date with Oppenheim-Ephrata on Thursday afternoon. Remsen tries to return to the win column when they also visit Oppenheim-Ephrata on April 23rd.
Oriskany 10 Remsen 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Remsen 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 7
Oriskany 2 0 0 1 7 0 X 10 5 4
Offensive Highlights:
Oriskany:
Savannah Bixler – 2 run homer
Alyssa Balfe-triple
Jordan Sahl-1 single
Brandi Zizzi-1 single
Danielle Manna-1 single
Remsen
Hailey Paddock-1 single
Savanna Fox-1 single
Gimme five...Redskins and Rams wrap it up.
