By PAUL GOTHAM
RIGA, N.Y. — A 3-2 lead in the fourth inning wasn’t enough, and the Penfield Patriots (21-3) saw their season with a 5-3 loss to Orchard Park of Section VI in NYS Class AA sub-regional action from Churchville-Chili High School.
Mackenzie Whitehead staked the Patriots to a 2-0 lead in the first with a one-out single that brought home Ella Maley and Vivian Russo.
Stephanie Coughlin added a run in the second inning with a two-out RBI single.
Little did the Patriot know, that was the last time they would get a runner to home in the game.
“We just left runners on, and, you know, we took some swings that were not quality swings when we were ahead in the count,” said first-year head coach Frank Clark. “I think we let the strike zone get into our head a little bit.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JENNIFER LAEMLEIN.
Penfield, making its first state tournament appearance in more than two decades, was also up against the reigning NYS champs who looked the part when they needed including a double play turned by Ella Hernandez in the sixth inning. The junior shortstop ranged behind the second-base bag to snare a line drive off the bat of Whitehead and then alertly doubled off a runner at first.
Zara Fattimo followed with a double that would have driven in at least one run.
“Those are the plays we’ve been making,” Clark said. “Those little things that you got to do consistently, and you’ve done this to this point. You play good teams, sometimes it’ll catch up to you when you don’t do it.”
Orchard Park starter, Lauren Patterson allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks. The senior right-hander struck out four and retired 12 of the last 14 batters she faced.
Hernandez finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Emma Gibson, Madison Dombek, Brooklyn Meganck and Isabella Curcio had two hits apiece for the Quakers.
Penfield, coming off its first sectional title since 2005, had won 16 straight heading into Wednesday’s matchup.
“I’m so proud of them,” Clark said. “I’m not sad we lost. I’m sad I don’t get to coach those seniors again. They’re a special group. They brought a special culture to the program, a winning culture and set it up for a success in the future.”
Orchard Park (14-4) who received an at-large bid to the state tournament will face rival North Tonawanda in the quarterfinals.
*Article has been edited and updated.
Ella Hernandez is a junior