Pickin' Splinters

Rochester's Independent Sports Source

Sheffer and Williams propel Rush-Henrietta

by Leave a Comment

Rush-Henrietta’s Kadyn Hartel struck out 11 and hurled a two-hitter in the Royal Comets’ win. (Photo: RON ANDREWS)

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A win, two days in the making, proved to be right on time in adding to a program tradition.

Olivia Sheffer and Samantha Williams connected on a home run apiece to lead Rush-Henrietta past Hilton, 14-0 in Section V Softball action, Thursday.

Sheffer’s fifth-inning home run came two frames and 20-plus hours after her teammate’s round-tripper. Not to mention a few miles away as well.

“It felt like I just had to kick start it,” the shortstop and three-hole hitter said of the R-H offense. “It’s kinda hard going from yesterday to today.”

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM RON ANDREWS. 

The two-out shot to center gave the Royal Comets a commanding 8-0 lead.

Leading 3-0, Williams sparked a four-run third with her blast to center.

“It was late in the count and she (Hilton pitcher) had missed a couple times and I thought why not swing at a low one for a change. As soon as I got it up in the air, I knew. I knew it was gone. Great feeling for that one.”

R-H sent 10 to the plate in the third and kept the momentum going with two more runs the following stanza.

Then came a few rumbles of thunder. The field at Greece Odyssey High School (where the game was originally started because of the turf field that was playable despite the recent rainfall in the region) was cleared. Rainfall followed, then a downpour. The game was suspended and resumed on Thursday at Greece Arcadia (another turf field) a few miles north along Mt. Read Boulevard.

Sheffer’s home run came with two outs and nobody aboard.

“The two days, it’s hard to pick it back up. I just thought why not do it now and get everyone riled up. Keep doing what we do best: hit, run and score. It felt good.”

The runs were more than enough for Kadyn Hartel. The sophomore hurler struck out 11 and hurled a two-hitter. After surrendering a double to Lucy Murphy, the first batter she faced, Hartel set down nine straight and 12 of 13 batters.

“She always has a great mindset,” Sheffer said. “This year we’ve been working really hard on the mental part of the game. I think she’s really focusing on the mental part and being positive. She’s been doing great. I’m excited to see what she’s going to do for the rest of the season.”

R-H evened its record at 1-1 on the season after falling to Victor 9-4 earlier in the week. That game represented R-H’s first venture outside for the season. Having scrimmaged indoors, the Royal Comets were limited to shagging fly balls in the parking lot for season preparations.

“It definitely is going to boost our confidence for the rest of the season, but that Victor game we’re not ashamed of anything that happened there,” Williams said. “We’re proud of that game. We performed very well. We had a lot to build off. We’re excited for the rest of the season.”

Both Sheffer and Williams finished a triple shy of the cycle going 3-for-5 on the day. Sheffer scored three runs. Williams crossed home on four occasions. Audrey Gleghorn drove in two runs with a single. The eight-grade right-fielder also walked twice and scored twice. Elizabeth Rinella and Hartel both singled and scored a run. Katelyn Militello and Robyn Bond both walked twice and scored a run.

Karlye Murphy had Hilton’s other hit – a one-out single in the sixth.

Post-game plans for the Royal Comets included a gathering later in the evening.

“It’s our get together as a team,” Sheffer said. “It’s spring break, have a little dinner and have some fun.”

On the menu?

“Steak. Maybe some shrimp with some good fried rice.”

The side dish of a post-game victory celebration was already provided.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *