Greene on the cusp of first state softball title
Now that we’re in the age of the worldwide web, information on just about anything and everything is available to the clever browser. That said, Greene head softball coach Rick Smith still does not have much information on his opponent Saturday in the Class C state semfinals.
“It was hard to find much on them, but I heard they started the season with a some losses, but they’ve been on a winning streak,” Smith said of Frewsburg of Section VI, who reached this point of the season beating Caledonia-Mumford, 6-2, this past Tuesday in the Western New York Regional Finals. “They were in the final four last year, so it goes without saying that they have a solid program. They’re going to be good, and from I know, (their program) is steady and consistent.”
McKenzie Cass drove in four runs for the Bears including a two-run double in the opening inning that keyed the victory over Cal-Mum. Emily Foy, the club’s lone senior, also drove in a run, and winning pitcher Samantha Mott contained the high-powered Cal-Mumford offense allowing four hits, while striking out seven. “With just the one senior – and probably a lot of kids back from last year – they probably grew up a bit this season,” Smith said of Frewsburg.
Compared to the previous three seasons when the Trojans virtually breezed through the regular season, the Trojans had some bumpy moments. The Trojans lost both games at the Afton tournament, and the defense was committing errors at an alarming rate.
In the two losses at Afton, Greene had 10 total errors and were averaging three errors per game through nine games. Smith revamped his infield switching his third baseman, shortstop, and second baseman. As a response to the change, Greene is averaging just over one error per game over the last 15, and have five total errors in the last four games against the best possible competition.
“After the Afton tournament, I was pretty distraught over our defense,” Smith said. “I was thinking, ‘what weren’t we doing?’ We certainly did not look good, but even in those frustrating games, we still saw little sparks. We just needed to be more consistent.”
Since the Afton tourney, the Trojans (20-4) have won 14 of 15 with the lone hiccup a 1-0 setback to Oxford on May 4. The Trojans avenged that loss – twice in fact – in the ensuing weeks, and reached their peak in the Section IV semifinals upending defending Section IV and state champion Elmira Notre Dame, 7-2. “That victory really boosted our confidence,” Smith said of the END contest. “That was a 26-0 team last year that had almost the entire team back. It really got us going.”
The Trojans’ bats came on strong late in a Section IV finals win over Edison last Saturday, and a four-run opening inning paved the way for a state quarterfinals win over Section III’s Sandy Creek Tuesday afternoon. Smith said the team is facing a little bit of adversity this week with his four seniors missing practice the past two days while attending the school’s senior trip. Those seniors return to practice Friday afternoon, and Smith has no doubt they will be ready to go along with the rest of the squad.
“We’re taking the approach (Saturday) that we’re playing whoever is on the opposite side,” the Greene coach said. “We need to do what we have been dong, and not do too many fancy things. We hope the bats get us through, and Becca (Hanrahan, Greene pitcher) has been pitching great. If we can survive any bad innings, I think we’ll be fine.”
The Trojans meet Frewsburg at 11:30 a.m. on field three at Adirondack Park in Queensbury. The championship game is scheduled at 4:30 p.m.
“It was hard to find much on them, but I heard they started the season with a some losses, but they’ve been on a winning streak,” Smith said of Frewsburg of Section VI, who reached this point of the season beating Caledonia-Mumford, 6-2, this past Tuesday in the Western New York Regional Finals. “They were in the final four last year, so it goes without saying that they have a solid program. They’re going to be good, and from I know, (their program) is steady and consistent.”
McKenzie Cass drove in four runs for the Bears including a two-run double in the opening inning that keyed the victory over Cal-Mum. Emily Foy, the club’s lone senior, also drove in a run, and winning pitcher Samantha Mott contained the high-powered Cal-Mumford offense allowing four hits, while striking out seven. “With just the one senior – and probably a lot of kids back from last year – they probably grew up a bit this season,” Smith said of Frewsburg.
Compared to the previous three seasons when the Trojans virtually breezed through the regular season, the Trojans had some bumpy moments. The Trojans lost both games at the Afton tournament, and the defense was committing errors at an alarming rate.
In the two losses at Afton, Greene had 10 total errors and were averaging three errors per game through nine games. Smith revamped his infield switching his third baseman, shortstop, and second baseman. As a response to the change, Greene is averaging just over one error per game over the last 15, and have five total errors in the last four games against the best possible competition.
“After the Afton tournament, I was pretty distraught over our defense,” Smith said. “I was thinking, ‘what weren’t we doing?’ We certainly did not look good, but even in those frustrating games, we still saw little sparks. We just needed to be more consistent.”
Since the Afton tourney, the Trojans (20-4) have won 14 of 15 with the lone hiccup a 1-0 setback to Oxford on May 4. The Trojans avenged that loss – twice in fact – in the ensuing weeks, and reached their peak in the Section IV semifinals upending defending Section IV and state champion Elmira Notre Dame, 7-2. “That victory really boosted our confidence,” Smith said of the END contest. “That was a 26-0 team last year that had almost the entire team back. It really got us going.”
The Trojans’ bats came on strong late in a Section IV finals win over Edison last Saturday, and a four-run opening inning paved the way for a state quarterfinals win over Section III’s Sandy Creek Tuesday afternoon. Smith said the team is facing a little bit of adversity this week with his four seniors missing practice the past two days while attending the school’s senior trip. Those seniors return to practice Friday afternoon, and Smith has no doubt they will be ready to go along with the rest of the squad.
“We’re taking the approach (Saturday) that we’re playing whoever is on the opposite side,” the Greene coach said. “We need to do what we have been dong, and not do too many fancy things. We hope the bats get us through, and Becca (Hanrahan, Greene pitcher) has been pitching great. If we can survive any bad innings, I think we’ll be fine.”
The Trojans meet Frewsburg at 11:30 a.m. on field three at Adirondack Park in Queensbury. The championship game is scheduled at 4:30 p.m.
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