Liverpool softball fights to 5-1 win over C-NS

By Phil BlACkwEll

Humbled by its April 27 defeat to Baldwinsville and rested after rains wiped out a possible game with Shenendehowa two days later, the Liverpool softball team made sure its other main rival didn’t match what the Bees did.

The first of two regular-season showdowns between Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse last Tuesday would go 5-1 in favor of the reigning sectional champions.

Cassie Wiggins recovered well from her B’ville showing, pitching a complete game. She held C-NS to five hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts.

At the plate, Liverpool was anchored by Maya Mills and Mackenzie Frani, who each delivered three hits as Mills and Alivia Horton both scored a pair of runs.

Lauren Ragonese and Lily Stevens joined Frani in the RBI column as, for C-NS, Lillian Hotaling pitched 4 2/3 innings and Payton Bach worked in relief. Aubrey Coyle drove in the Northstars’ lone run as she and Sydney Rockwell had two hits apiece.

When Liverpool hosted FayettevilleManlius two days later, it proved a showcase for Frani in the pitcher’s circle as it prevailed 8-1 over the Hornets.

All game long, Frani frustrated the F-M hitters, setting a career mark with 15 strikeouts against five hits and two walks, the lone Hornets run coming in the fifth inning.

By then, Liverpool led 6-0 thanks to a big bottom of the third where it got to F-M pitcher Natlaie Mayne. Two runs in the fifth followed as Mills and Ava Falvo both had two hits and two RBIs, while Wiggins and Ragonese also drove in runs and Mills scored twice.

Now, on Saturday, Liverpool faced Section IV’s Maine-Endwell, and was able to pull out a tense 1-0 victory over the Spartans, who on this same day would blank Baldwinsville 9-0.

Wiggins pitched again and kept the game 0-0 until the top of the fifth, when Liverpool nabbed its lone run when Katia Flavin reached base and raced home on Gracie Zankowski’s single. Making it hold up, Wiggins limited M-E to two hits and struck out nine.

Then, against Section II’s Saratoga Springs, Liverpool prevailed 4-3 improving its overall record to 11-2.

A three-run first inning nearly held up the rest of the way, but Liverpool still need-

C-NS Blue girls golfers remain undefeated

By Phil BlACkwEll

Now it’s clear that the Cicero-North Syracuse Blue girls golf team will once again have to outplay Fayetteville-Manlius Green for SCAC Metro division regular-season honors.

Both the Northstars and Hornets got key wins over Baldwinsville at Timber Banks three days apart, C-NS Blue doing so last Monday as it ignored soggy conditions to beat the Bees 168-225.

Isabella Borte’s nine-hole score of 38 nearly matched par and led the Northstars. Jessica Ricciardi and Chloe Tice both posted 42 as Natalie Hacker finished with a 48, each of them ahead of B’ville’s low round of 50 from Eva Pawelek.

In slightly drier conditions on Thursday afternoon, C-NS Blue returned to Lakeshore Country Club and, against West Genesee, was able to handle the Wildcats 178-234 to make it seven wins in a row.

Again, Borte was in front, her 40 easily beat- ing the 44 from Ricciardi. Hacker improved to a 46 and Andrew Wheaton stepped up with a 48, each ahead of the low 54 from WG’s Sophia Simiele.

Ironically, that same day C-NS’s younger Green team met up with F-M Green, humbled by the Hornets in a 169-253 defeat at Green Lakes.

Lauren Sisk’s 59 was the low round for the Northstars. Melanie Dolson had a 62, ahead of Kate Bouziden (64) and Grace Didrio (68), with Erin Graves pacing F-M Green thanks to her 39.

Liverpool was back in action Friday at Hickory Hills and would take its shot against F-M Green, playing quite well, yet still losing to the Hornets 153-171.

Melanie Biviano shot a 40, with Ella Foriero getting a 43. Maddie Turck and Jewelyana Daniels both posted 44 as, leading a top-four F-M Green sweep, Alana Isley had 37 ahead of 38s from Gabby Dardis and Bella Fullmer.