By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jalissa Crittenden hurled a two-hit shutout, and Josslyn Siembor paced the offense as host Eastridge softball (8-0) remained unbeaten with an 8-0 victory over Churchville-Chili (4-5) on Monday.
Crittenden surrendered a leadoff single in the first then retired the next 12 batters she faced and 15 of 16 through the fifth inning.
“She really improved a lot in the off season,” said Eastridge head coach Shelly Collins. “She picked up a couple miles per hour. Her changeup wasn’t great today, but it has been very effective. She was hitting her spots, pitching well, pitching confidently.”
Crittenden struck out nine and surrendered one walk. The right-hander did not allow a runner past first until the sixth inning, and that player did not pass second. Of the 12 outs that were made in play, only one reached the outfield.
Siembor finished 2-for-4 in the game. The junior shortstop started the scoring with a one-out double in the third that brought home Chloe Welch.
The Lancers went on to score three more runs in the inning with Marley Siembor collecting an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
“It’s a nice mix of speed and power,” Collins said of her lineup. “There’s not really an easy out. They’re just crushing the ball.”
Josslyn Siembor put the game out of reach with a three-run home run in the fourth – a ball that cleared the fence in left field and landed on the track of the adjacent Erna Frank Field.
The shutout was the fourth this season for the Lancers whose average margin of victory is 7.75.
“Tomorrow, they’ll come to practice just as hungry as they have been all season,” said Collins in her third season as head coach at Eastridge after leading the Victor program for 32 years. “It’s a really unique bunch of kids. They have fun with each other. They like each other. They’re friends. Like, there’s no wishing someone does bad, so they can get in, or so that they’re the star. They’re willing to share everything. It’s very nice.”
Emma Johnson doubled, walked and scored twice in the win. Tee Tee Green was 1-3 with a walk and a run scored. Crittenden doubled, walked and drove in a run.
Welch scored two runs. Haleigh Switzer singled and scored.
Churchville’s Gianna Pozzuolo and Brooke DiGiacomo had a hit apiece for the Saints.
Eastridge hosts Gates Chili for a 5:00 PM first pitch on Wednesday.
C-C host Newark on Tuesday for a 5 PM game.
The same two teams will meet on May 13th at Churchville.
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