By PAUL GOTHAM
HILTON, N.Y. — Hilton softball batted around twice in a 14-run second inning, and the host Cadets went on to defeat Spencerport, 19-4 in Section V Softball action on Monday.
The first 11 Hilton batters of the second reached base as the Cadets put the game away early.
“We just passed the bat to every person,” Hilton head coach Amy Centola said. “Every kid hit the ball hard and made them make plays.”
Ava Brugno, Jordan Brozak and Naomi Rosario loaded the bases with consecutive singles, and Sarah Willliams brought home the first runs of the frame with a double.
Centola pointed to a call in the first inning as motivation for her team.
“We felt like we had a really rough break when our runner made contact with the umpire on the base path,” she said. “That was a really big momentum swing for us. We just went back and we said we’re going to go back to basics because that was an unfortunate sequence for us. We started fresh putting the ball in play.”
The win was the fourth in the last five games for Hilton (6-5) which is above .500 for the first time since opening the season with a victory.
Abbey Hahm plates 2 with a double to right center. Heading to the 4th: Hilton 17-3 pic.twitter.com/5ke0303GsZ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 1, 2023
“Defensively, we usually make routine plays, but we’ve been getting the timely hit with two outs to drive runs in lately and clear bases,” Centola said. “That’s really been the difference in this run that we’re having.
“It’s crazy when you just make the routine plays how much pressure that puts on the offense of the other team and how your defense feels so much confidence. Our pitchers know that our defense is going to make the plays, and I think that gives them a lot of momentum in the circle.”
Rosario, Brianna Delisanti and Maddie Murphy shared the pitching responsibilities.
“We have a bunch of different pitchers who have different looks to keep other teams off-balance,” Centola noted.
At the plate, Maddie Murphy finished 4-for-4 including two singles in the second inning. The eighth-grade infielder scored four runs in the game.
“Little Murphy brings in big Murphy” Maddie Murphy plates Lucy Murphy pic.twitter.com/Q6L5h2byX3
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 1, 2023
Hitting leadoff, Lucy Murphy (older sister) went 3-for-3 with two walks and five runs scored. Paige Siciliano was 2-for-4 with a double, walk and a run scored. Abbey Hahm went 3-for-5 with a triple and a double.
Abbey Hahm plates 2 with a double to right center. Heading to the 4th: Hilton 17-3 pic.twitter.com/5ke0303GsZ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) May 1, 2023
Brugno reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk. Brozak had a pair of singles and a walk. Rosario crossed home twice. Karlye Murphy (no relation) singled twice and scored a run.
“This is one of the nicest teams that I’ve ever coached,” Centola said. “Everybody’s in it collectively as a team. It’s very refreshing to see as a coach that they all support each other regardless of their role.”
Spencerport’s Audrey Gelfuso singled, walked and scored twice. Juliana Inclima finished 2-for-2 with a run scored. Isabella Ranieri doubled. Courtney Hammerle had a single for the Rangers.
Leave a Reply