Constantino Financial Sectional Final Preview: Our Lady of Mercy and Batavia clash in Class A softball title

One team is looking to claim its fifth sectional title since 2009 and its first since 2018. The other team is pushing for a third sectional title and its first in Class A. Our Lady of Mercy and Batavia will battle for the Class A crown. Here’s the breakdown:

Class A
No. 1 OUR LADY OF MERCY MONARCHS (12-5 / Private/Parochial)
vs.
No. 3 BATAVIA BLUE DEVILS (10-8 / Monroe County IV)
Saturday, Gates Chili High School, 3:00 p.m.

How they arrived here: No. 1 seeded Our Lady of Mercy defeated Newark (21-3) and Geneva (13-1) to reach the title game. No. 3 seeded Batavia downed Wayne (13-2) and Honeoye Falls-Lima (3-2) to earn a spot in the Class A championship. 

Tempo and trends: Our Lady of Mercy averages 8.4 runs per game and allows 5.8 runs per game. Batavia averages six runs per game and allows 5.4 runs per game. Our Lady of Mercy have won six of their last seven matchups including three wins by 10 or more runs. Batavia enters winning four of their last six matchups. 

Players to watch for Our Lady of Mercy: Leah Sperry Jr. P (11-4 record, 96 IP, 3.57 ERA, 122 K, .519/.581/1.292, 27 H, four 2B, two HR, 18 RBI, five R, nine BB); Lillian Seiffert So. CF (.474/.538/.1.082, 27 H, four 2B, six RBI, 33 R, eight BB); Brenna Ray 8^th 1B (.453/.473/1.416, 24 H, seven 2B, two 3B, five HR, 26 RBI, 25 R, two BB); Alannah Riley Sr. 2B (.362/.434/.859, 17 H, three 2B, 10 RBI, 11 R, five BB); Abby BelloJr. C (.302/.348/.697, 13 H, one 3B, nine RBI, three R, three BB); Kendall Schiffhauer (.304/.381/.917, 17 H, seven 2B, two HR, 17 RBI, 18 R, six BB).

Players to watch for Batavia: Arianna Almekinder Jr. P (146 K, .313 BA, .514 OBP, 15 H, four 2B, four 3B, 20 BB); Libby Grazioplene Sr. CF (.538 BA, .633 OBP, 28 H, 21 RBI, 11 2B, one 3B, three HR); Drew StevensSr. SS (.353 BA, .377 OBP, 15 H, 14 RBI, two 2B, one 3B, two HR); Adeline Dewitt Jr. 1B (.255 BA, .426 OBP, 12 H); Kyleigh Kabel Sr. 2B (.228 BA, .363 OBP, 13 H); Lyla Smith Jr. RF (.245 BA, .324 OBP, 13 H).

Coaches: Rick Sylvester (Our Lady of Mercy), Rob Kersch (Batavia)

History 101: Our Lady of Mercy’s most recent Section V title came in 2018, claiming back-to-back championships in Class A1. The Monarchs also won in ’13 (Class A) and 05’ (Class A). Batavia’s most recent Section V title came in 2023 in Class B1, with their other sectional title coming in ’13 (Class B1). 

What’s at stake: A spot in the Class A NYSPHSAA softball championship first round against the Section VI Class A champion.