By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — During a recent miserable stretch, Spencerport softball managed to score a total 14 runs in six games – all losses.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Rangers crossed home 17 times to win for the third time in four games.
An adjustment to the pre-game routine maybe a reason for the turnaround.
Spencerport scored nine runs in the fifth inning and went to beat host Greece Arcadia, 17-6.
“It’s been the hitting,” Spencerport head coach Adam Della Sala said. “We’ve been playing good defense for most of the year. We were just not scoring for weeks. We came into today confident in our at-bats.”
Maddie Fleck and Emma Gionta connected on RBI singles to jump start the decisive fifth. Courtney Hammerle added a base hit, and Kelsey Sick brought in a run with an RBI groundout.
The Rangers sent 14 to the plate in the inning while taking advantage of four walks and two errors to keep the rally going.
Maddy Fleck sits back and takes a ball opposite for an RBI single and a 5-3 Spencerport lead. pic.twitter.com/vafRcOWCHE
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 11, 2022
“We were ready to attack it and put the ball in play when it came to it,” Della Sala said.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM RON ANDREWS HERE.
Any chance of Arcadia making a comeback was dismissed when Juliana Inclima connected on a two-out bases-clearing triple in the sixth inning.
Juliana Inclima clears the bases with a two-out, oppo triple. @Ranger_Sports pic.twitter.com/1yqChQYPeM
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 11, 2022
The 17 runs was a season high.
“We changed our batting practice routine a little bit,” Della Cala explained. “Instead of me lobbing it in slowly, we brought our machine outside and throwing a little harder to them. I think that has helped over the last week too.”
The Rangers also changed their approach in the circle. Hard-throwing Sydney Collier started and worked the first two innings before giving way to Inclima who tossed the next three frames. Collier reentered for the sixth and seventh innings.
“That got them off their game, hitting-wise,” said Della Cala referring to the change of pace the two pitcher present.
1-2-3 seventh from Sydney Collier. Spencerport 17-6 pic.twitter.com/FQurn7VQV3
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 11, 2022
With the win, Spencerport which improved to 6 wins and 10 losses on the season.
“We know that hosting a sectional game is within reach, so we had to win to six of our last eight to do that. We’re on our way to that.”
Alison Sywulski gets aboard on a two-out single and scores on a Hannah Keane double to straight center. pic.twitter.com/sFitugTucO
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 11, 2022
Arcadia’s Kate Barone walked and scored in the first inning and then tripled and scored on a Makayla Mohr sacrifice fly in the third as the Titans (4-10) grabbed an early 3-0 lead. Alison Sywulski reached on a two-out single in the fifth and scored on a Hannah Keane double.
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