By PAUL GOTHAM
DICKINSON, N.Y. — Senior Kaili Witherell retired 20 straight batters, and the Haverling offense supplied three runs in the fifth as the Rams (21-3) pulled away to defeat Section IX champion Highland (16-6), 6-0 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class B Softball semifinals, Friday at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.
With the win, Haverling Softball advances to a program-first state championship game appearance.
“It feels insane,” Witherell said of continuing the season. “It’s great that it’s happening my senior year. The whole team has come together to support one another. It’s surreal.”
Witherell surrendered a leadoff single in the first and then did not allow another batter to reach until a two-out base hit in the seventh inning.
“I was throwing my rise (pitch) a lot,” the right-hander said. “My fielders were cheering me on. Their support was everything and pulled us through.”
Witherell struck out nine and improved to 18-2 on the season.
“People getting a hit off her fires her up,” Haverling head coach Rachel Ratchford said of her starter and team tri-captain. “A lot of times if somebody gets a hit, she’ll come out and throw a 67-mile per hour fastball. It just puts extra gas in her tank and gets her fired up.”
Leading 1-0, Haverling sent seven batters to the plate in the fifth.
Emma Lafler started the rally with a one-out single. Witherell followed with a base hit, and Abbie Whaley delivered with a triple down the right field line to start the scoring.
“They are so confident in their abilities, not cocky, but confident in their abilities as players,” Ratchford said of her squad. “We can be up one-nothing, down one-nothing, down three-nothing, and they just never change the way that they play. They keep swinging, playing their game and know that eventually they’re going to bust out some hits.”
Makayla Smith executed a squeeze bunt to bring home Whaley, and the Rams had a 4-0 lead.
Caydence Spears finished 3-for-4 in the game including a two-run double in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Witherell went 3-4. Whaley was 2-4. Smith also walked and scored. Kas Plewa had a hit.
With the win, Haverling advances to Saturday’s championship game. The Rams will face Section II champion Chatham (19-3). A 1:30 p.m. first pitch is slated at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park.
“This group of girls is so amazing on and off the field,” Ratchford said. “They deserve this.”
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