HERKIMER – Coming into the new week and staring down a Monday tournament – already at 1-0 following a Saturday, April 1, win over Chenango Valley – the Bainbridge-Guilford varsity softball team was looking to turn some heads.
They did just that and more with a 2-0 outing at the Kris Haver Memorial Tournament at the Mudville Complex in Herkimer on Monday April, 3.
“I thought we’d be competitive. I wasn’t expecting us to win both those games, especially against Poland,” said Bainbridge-Guilford head coach Randy Palmatier. “I am really proud of them (B-G), the guy that runs Mudville was shocked that we won the tournament. We are pretty excited.”
The lady Bobcats were afforded no time to settle in at the tournament – as coach Palmatier said they were forced to jump right off the bus and into the action.
With a slew of solid competition awaiting – Poland, Canastota, and Mayfield – one would think playing essentially without warmups would be detrimental to the outcome.
The first game of the tournament garnered just that – a setback due to lack of time to properly warmup. B-G was faced with a 2-0 deficit after just the first inning.
Down 2-0 to a powerful Canastota team – the lady Bobcats didn’t let that rattle them. With the game still tied at 2-0 heading into the fourth inning, it was the youth of B-G that shined through when eighth grader Ashley Matthews smashed a three-run home run – sending junior Megan Palmatier and fellow-eighth grader Bree Barber home for the 3-2 lead.
B-G was able to hang for the remainder of the game, as Alli Miller got the win on the mound for the Bobcats, tossing out five strikeouts in her efforts.
“Alli Miller pitched, gave up both runs in the first inning. We didn’t have a chance to warmup, we got off the bus and had to play,” said coach Palmatier. “Alli was great after that (first inning), she was solid. She had five strikeouts and no walks in the game.”
Taking the loss for Canastota on the mound was Rhilen Chabot.
Canastota and B-G each earned four hits a piece in the game.
“We were pretty efficient, we made the most of our hits,” said coach Palmatier.
Notably, Poland defeated Mayfield 12-1 to advance to the finals where they met Bainbridge-Guilford.
 
B-G: 0 0 0 3 0– 3
CAN: 2 0 0 0 0– 2
 
In the finals of the tournament, Palmatier boasted his improved defensive efforts as a key to the tight 3-0 win that B-G snagged over Poland.
“We were pretty happy with how we played. In our first game (of the season) I mentioned that defense was kind of weak. But our defense was great tonight, no errors we played really well,” said Palmatier.
No errors, key hitting opportunities, and solid pitching – that is how Bainbridge-Guilford softball became the 2017 Kris Haver Memorial Mudville tournament champions.
Pitching for B-G in the championship game was Kori Thornton, who saw her two-hit effort in the first game coupled with a two-hit, nine strikeout performance on the mound earn her the MVP award of the tournament.
“Kori Thornton was lights out,” said coach Palmatier. “She was on fire, she was the MVP of the tournament. Kori looked great in that game.”
B-G saw Kassidy Davy drive in a run off a double in the fourth inning – before eighth grader Bree Barber slugged in a two run play off her triple late in the fifth for the 3-0 win.
“Both eighth graders had big outings tonight,” said coach Palmatier.
 
B-G: 0 0 0 1 2– 3
Pol: 0 0 0 0 0– 0
 
Bainbridge-Guilford (3-0 overall) will play on the road next against Sidney on Wednesday, April 5, at 4:30 p.m.