BINGHAMTON – Greene rode its pitching and defense to its first Section IV softball championship game in program history.
Tioga dismantled the tenets of the Trojans’ postseason success story with its first batter.
Scoring three runs in the first inning on just basehit, the Tigers led from start to finish to claim the Section IV, Class C title Saturday at the BAGSAI complex defeating the Trojans, 7-3.
Tioga lead-off hitter Ariel Hutchinson laid down a running bunt in the first inning that resulted in a throwing error – the first Greene error in three games. A bunt basehit by Kara McDuffee, and a walk to Kara Walkley loaded the bases at the start.
Greene pitcher Rebecca Hanrahan retired the next batter, but a fielding error on Aubrey Worthing’s grounder scored two runs – two more than the Trojans gave up in its previous game, a 1-0 shutout of Elmira Notre Dame.
“The first inning definitely set the tone,” said Greene coach Rick Smith. “I said to my wife before the game that if we got through the first two innings, we’d be fine. We gave up those three runs early and we battled back, but it’s all about the pitching and defense at this point.”
Tioga did what no previous team had done before against Greene (18-5) and freshman pitcher Rebecca Hanrahan: Put the ball in play.
From top to bottom, Tioga’s aggressive batting style applied pressure on the Trojans’ defense, who committed five errors in the game. Hanrahan finished with a season-low three strikeouts.
“They did a nice job with their bunting game as well,” Smith said sizing up the Tioga offense. “What it came down to is we didn’t make the plays you have to make in a game like this.”
Walkley had three hits, two runs scored and a key RBI single to left field in the sixth inning that jumped her team’s lead to four runs. Hutchinson reached base safely all four times she batted finishing with two runs scored. McDuffee also had two hits for the Tigers.
Sarah Wayson had 11 strikeouts for Tioga, and benefited from strong defense to keep the Trojans’ offense in check.
In the top of the second, Greene was poised to answer Tioga’s three-run inning when Hanrahan reached base on an infield single and Megan McDermott drew a walk. Each player moved up a base on a passed ball. Caitlin Willis hit a fly ball to center field that was snagged by Tioga’s Raven Worthing for the first out. Hanrahan tagged up at third base attempted to score on the out, but was tagged out by Miller for the second out of the inning and a crucial double play.
The Trojans did not seriously threaten again until the sixth inning, at which point they trailed by five runs. Pinch-hitter Amanda Weeks, Tara Bub, and Haley MacLaren all reached base safely to start the inning. After a pop-out by Erin Smith, Hanrahan came to the plate, and she delivered the Trojans’ first big hit. Hanrahan gapped a flyball to right-center field that rolled to the fence for a three-RBI triple. The next two Greene batters, though, were retired without incident by Wayson.
Tioga was able to respond with two insurance runs, all done with two outs capped by Walkley’s aforementioned RBI single, and accompanied by the Trojans’ final error of the game.
“It was frustrating (the loss), but it doesn’t take anything away from the season we had,” Smith said. “This is as good as we’ve done, and we’re just going to build off this and go forward.”
Score by innings R H E
Gre. 000 003 0 3 4 5
Tio. 310 012 x 7 9 2
Sarah Wayson (W) and Marissa Miller. Rebecca Hanrahan (L, 17-5) and Haley MacLaren. Triples: (G) Hanrahan.