By PAUL GOTHAM
DICKINSON, N.Y. — Ashlyn Wright connected on a two-run single in the top of the first and then hurled a four-hit shutout as Bloomfield (23-1) defeated Section IV champion Deposit-Hancock (20-3), 4-0 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class C Softball semifinal, Friday morning at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.
With the win, Bloomfield clinched its second NYS championship game appearance in program history and second in as many years.
“It means the world to me, the team, the town,” Wright said of earning a spot in tomorrow’s championship game. “We couldn’t do this without everyone’s support. We played our game, and we won.”
The senior right-hander and West Point commit retired the first 10 batters she faced before surrendering a one-out double in the fourth. She responded with two of her eight strike outs in the game.
Wright did not issue a walk and faced five batters over the limit in tossing her fourth straight shutout. First time through the order, her change-up kept Deposit-Hancock, a team scoring 11.3 runs per game, off-balance.
“Using it when batters are really aggressive helps a lot,” she said of the pitch. “We scouted them pretty well. They’re fast. It was important not letting anyone on base. They’re aggressive hitters, so throwing how you know how to throw and not letting them on (base).”
Deposit-Hancock came into the game looking to clinch a fifth straight state final appearance. The Eagles, winners of four consecutive NYS Class D titles, were making their first trip the Final Four in Class C.
“Our girls know they can play with anyone in the state,” Bloomfield head coach Mark Jacobs said. “We lost an extra-inning game to Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa (of Section II). They’re here in the Double-A Final Four. We know we can play with anybody.
“Our whole concept was play our game, if they’re good enough to beat us, we’ll congratulate them. I thought we had the better team. No disrespect to them. They have an awesome program. They have a great team. I thought we had the better team. Our girls played with confidence the whole game.”
Deposit-Hancock’s best threat came in the fifth when the Eagles had runners on first and second with one out.
Wright induced a routine fly ball to center and then a comebacker which she handled.
“She stays in the moment and goes pitch by pitch,” Jacobs said Wright’s ability to escape the jam. “She doesn’t think big picture. She thinks what do I have to do next.”
Deposit-Hancock got the leadoff runner aboard for a second straight inning when Olivia Johnston singled up the middle to start the sixth.
Addison Falsone made the two final outs of the inning.
“She’s been playing since seventh and has not made an error yet,” Jacobs said of the ninth-grader who had five putouts from second base on the day.
Twin sisters Sydney Falsone and Addison Falsone led the game with back-to-back walks. Calla McCombs reached on a fielder’s choice and scored with Addison Falsone on Wright’s one-out hit.
Abby O’Brien singled to start the second, moved to second on Marlee Poole’s sacrifice bunt and scored when Sydney Falsone’s two-out fly ball was mishandled.
Bloomfield added a run in the sixth. McCombs led with a base hit, moved to second on a groundout and scored on Bri Leitten’s one-out single.
Bloomfield will play Tuckahoe of Section I Saturday’s championship. A 10 a.m. first pitch is scheduled.
Prior to the merger of the two schools, Deposit won three of four NYS Class D championships from 2016-2019.
Leave a Reply