By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A hand injury sidelined Marlayna Cartagena earlier this week.
The Irondequoit senior made up for lost time and then some on Thursday afternoon.
Cartagena struck out 11 without surrendering a walk and scattered four hits while supplying all the offense needed in a 1-0 Irondequoit (10-1) victory over Honeoye Falls-Lima (4-4) in Section V Softball action.
After surrendering a two-out single in the first inning, the right-hander retired the next 15 she faced. Seven of those outs came on strikes with only two balls leaving the infield during the stretch.
Marlayna Cartegena works a 1-2-3 4th. Senior right-hander has retired 10 straight and 12 of 13, seven on strikes. Irondequoit 1 HF-L 0 pic.twitter.com/vTU32lCwtR
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) April 27, 2023
“When we first played them, I threw a change-up, and they caught up to it,” Cartegena said referring to Irondequoit’s 7-3 season-opening win over the Cougars. “We stayed pretty much with everything fast today and that worked.”
Her two-out home run in the third proved to be difference in the game.
“First one of the season,” she said. “I was actually just talking about it the other day. It felt really good. I saw it and didn’t feel it come off the bat. It felt really good after not getting too many big hits for a while. That one was nice.”
Marlayna Cartegena starts the scoring with a two-out blast to center. pic.twitter.com/1CddPO5Th2
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) April 27, 2023
The win came after the Eagles dropped their first game of the season earlier in the week, a 2-1 decision to Pittsford Mendon. Cartagena watched that defeat from the dugout after after experiencing swelling on her pitching hand. She played Thursday with her hand taped.
“Last year we were O-and-5,” she said. “Once we started winning, it brought up our confidence. Starting off strong this year is definitely a way to keep your team together and just keep everyone working. We have a lot of goals. The four seniors also have a lot of goals. Having those goals sets you up for more success.”
Abby Ras finished 2-for-2 at the while Laney Flynn was 2-for-3 with a pair of two-out doubles in the win.
HF-L rallied in the seventh and had the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
Ellie Casler and Madelyn Fowler connected on back-to-back singles to lead the frame. Madison Schubach moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt.
Cartagena responded with her last two strike outs of the game.
Casler was 2-for-3 in the game. Emma Dunman started and went the distance for HF-L. The sophomore struck out six. Dunman also had a double at the plate.
Emma Dunman strands a runner at second. Heading to the third: HF-L 0 Irondequoit 0 pic.twitter.com/eaNrcXK7NZ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) April 27, 2023
Cartagena improved to 8-0 on the season with an ERA of 0.56. She has 92 strike outs in 50 innings of work and opponents are hitting .137 against her.
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