Fairport, Lancaster clash in Softball Class AAA Far West Regional

One squad is making a section-leading seventh regional appearance and looking for its first win since 2009. The other aims to improve to improve to 4-1 in Far West Regional play since 2001. For the second time in three years, Fairport and Lancaster do battle in the Softball Far West Regional. Here’s the breakdown:

Class AAA
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (12-9 / Monroe County I)
vs.
LANCASTER LEGENDS (13-7 / ECIC I)
Saturday, Webster Schroeder, 5:30 p.m.

How they arrived here: Fairport defeated reigning AA champion Rush-Henrietta 9-2 and Greece 16-2 to win the Section V AAA title. Lancaster beat Niagara Falls (5-2) and top-seeded Orchard Park (6-2) to capture the Section VI trophy.

Tempo and trends: Fairport averages 8.14 runs scored per game and 4.76 runs allowed per game. Lancaster scores 5.0 runs per game and gives up 2.3 runs per game. The Red Raiders have won two straight after dropping the final four regular season games. The Legends are winners in four straight games.

Players to watch for Fairport: Nicole Allen Sr. OF; Juliana Catalano Sr. 2B; Isi Hurlbut Sr. OF; Lauryn Smith Sr. SS; Millie Reed Sr. 1B; Kailey Gardner Sr. P.

Lancaster: Francesca Morris Sr. 1B/3B; Bella DiMino So. 2B/SS; Grace Szpylman Sr. P; Alyssa Brunner So. 1B/P; Ava Konieczny So. 3B/OF; Karly Schurkus Sr. SS/OF.

Coaches: Curt Johnson (Fairport), Rich Winiatowksi (Lancaster)

History 101: For the second time in three years and fourth time since 2001, Fairport and Lancaster match up in the Far West Regional. Lancaster has taken all three of the previous meetings (2001, 2003, 2022), winning by one run each time. Fairport has appeared in the Far West Regional seven times, with the Red Raiders’ lone win coming in 2009 when they defeated Williamsville North 2-1. Fairport reached the Class AA NYS final that year, but fell to Brentwood (XI) 4-1. Lancaster reached the state semifinals in 2022, falling to the eventual state champion, Monroe-Woodbury (IX).

What’s at stake: A spot in the Class AAA NYS Semifinal against the winner of Oceanside (VIII) and Sachem East (XI).