Clymer/Sherman center Lily Martin after hitting a home run in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against CCAA Division 2 West Softball vs. Frewsburg at the Robert H. Jackson Sports Complex in Frewsburg. , is congratulated by his teammates.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman
FREESBURG — With three outs remaining, things didn't look good for the Clymer/Sherman softball team Wednesday night.
After 12 batters and seven runs, the Wolves cruised to their first win of the season.
Clymer/Sherman had four consecutive hits and two errors in his final at-bat for the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division II West vs. Frewsburg at the Robert H. Jackson Sports Complex. They took advantage of two walks and won 11-6.
“This is our second game of the year, so at least we were able to move the bat today,” Clymer/Sherman head coach Dave Bodamer said. “It would be great if we could do that in the first two innings and maybe hold on till the end, but we still managed to score.”
Lily Martin led the Wolves (1-1, 1-1) with three hits, including a double and a home run, driving in three runs and scoring three times.
Kaylee Pinzoku of the Wolves made a successful running catch in center field.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman
“Lily was our offensive savior today,” Bodamer said. “We've seen that from her in her cage, so it's not all that surprising, but it was great timing for her.”
The Bears (2-2, 1-2) held the lead for the second day in a row heading into the seventh inning, but it got away.
“The last two games, the first inning hurt us and we lost the game,” Frewsburg head coach Sandy Ruhlman said. “If we could take a little bit of time and fix some of those issues, we would get a different outcome.”
Frewsburg took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Tatum Jimerson reached on an error, stole second base and scored on the error to tie the game. Addison Hultberg, who took advantage of that error and ended up at second base, scored on two wild pitches.
But the Wolves didn't disappear. In the top of the 7th inning, No. 8 batter Kaylee Pinzoku walked to lead off the inning, and Natalie White also walked and stole second. Leadoff batter Janelle Birchanowski hit an infield hit, and Taylor Pinzoku tied the game with a fielder's choice RBI.
Frewsburg's Tatum Jimerson steals base as the ball escapes from Clymer/Sherman shortstop Harley Faulkner during a CCAA Division II West game played Wednesday at the Robert H. Jackson Sports Complex in Frewsburg. He safely slipped into second base, and teammate Kelsey Wagner watched on.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman
Martin then hit a two-run double to left-center field, giving Clymer/Sherman the lead for good.
Kelsey Wagner continued the inning with an RBI double, and after a wild pitch, Ellie Bodamer hit an RBI squeeze bunt to make it 9-5. With two outs at the end, the Timberwolves' final two runs were scored on the Bears' seventh error of the night.
“It could be a frustrating game because unfortunately we haven't had a lot of time outside to really practice fielding,” Ruhrman said. “We feel like we're on the verge of getting a win and putting it together.”
Frysburg took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Mackenzie Martin reached on an error and with one out Colin McLaughlin singled and advanced runners to second and third base on a passed ball. Mackenzie Martin scored her first RBI of the game on a wild pitch, and Skyler Wade hit a two-out RBI single.
Lily Martin brought Climber/Sherman to the plate in the top of the fourth inning and broke the no-hitter with a long home run over the right field fence.
Mackenzie Martin of the Bears set up a bunt.Pajama photo: Matt Spielman
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mackenzie Martin scored Jimerson on a bunt single, giving the Bears a two-run lead.
“We were actually able to work on our bunts quite a bit inside. … Every game where we asked our kids to bunt, we were happy to have them bunt,” Ruhlman said. . “…I feel like with our base running and aggressiveness, we can squeeze in some runs here and there.”
In the top of the 6th inning, Taylor Pinzoku walked, Lily Martin singled, and Wagner hit an RBI single to make it 3-2, but Martin scored on an error on the same play. Olivia Malesky then grounded out Wagner to give the Wolves a 4-3 lead.
Frewsburg continues league play Friday at Panama, while Climber/Sherman hosts Cassadaga Valley at Climber the same day.
“If we can get our offense back on track and reduce our mistakes, I think we can compete with anyone around us,” Coach Bodamer said. “We have a long way to go. We certainly have work to do.”
Notes: Bodamer had three strikeouts and three walks, allowing six hits inside the Clymer/Sherman circle. … Tegan Trocchi and Teagan Nazario combined for Frewsburg, which struck out five, walked four and gave up a batter, but allowed eight hits inside the circle.
