#2 Herkimer softball takes down two top ten teams
The nationally ranked number two Herkimer Generals had something to prove this past weekend as they took on the number eight Suffolk County Community College Sharks and the number seven Rowan College of Gloucester County Roadrunners. Herkimer traveled to Long Island last Friday where they took on the Sharks in cold and windy weather conditions. The weather didn't phase the Generals whatsoever as they came out strong taking an early 2-1 lead in the first and never looked back. They strung together three more runs in the third to gain a 5-1 lead including a home run from sophomore Molly McGuire (Syracuse, NY) who was returning with a bang from an early season injury. Head Coach PJ Anadio congratulated McGuire after the game, "Welcome back Molly McGuire!" The Generals continued their rally throughout the game finishing it 8-3. In the circle this game was sophomore lefty #12 Casey Boltersdorf who proved to have a great weekend starting with this game pitching all seven innings with seven strikeouts.
Game two of the series proved to be a bit more of a challenge at the end for the Generals. Again they started off strong scoring early earning one run in the first as well as a rally in the fourth adding three more runs giving the Generals a comfortable 4-2 lead. The fifth inning was unproductive for both teams. The sixth inning would be most eventful for both teams and could have been the momentum the Sharks needed to take over however the game was called after the sixth inning on a count of darkness. In the top of the sixth the Generals scored two more runs extending their lead 6-2. The Generals needed just three outs to end it, but the Sharks challenged the defense more than they had all day. The Sharks were able to score three runs on a two out rally but Herkimer held composure and the lead with a final score of 6-5.
Saturday the Generals faced NJCAA DII Mercer again at their home field. The Generals had faced Mercer twice in Myrtle Beach, SC during their spring trip and were 1-1 in the series. Unfortunately for Herkimer, errors and Mercer's timely hitting plagued their day as they took two off the chin dropping both games 4-0, and 13-5.
Sunday the Generals were refocused and ready to go toe to toe with the number seven Rowan College Roadrunners of Gloucester County and came out swinging. Herkimer put it to them scoring three quick runs in the first inning. The heart of the lineup for the Generals seemed to grow as every hitter was a tough out for the Roadrunners. Sophomores Lacy Nealy (Montrose, PA) and #33 Bailee Haddad (Frankfort, NY) carried the big sticks as Nealy smoked an RBI double, and Haddad finished game one with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs. It wasn't just the offense that shined that day for the Generals however. In the circle this game was sophomore Jackie Gardner (Syracuse, NY) who allowed just one hit from the Roadrunners all game. Herkimer defeated Rowan College 11-1 this first game out.
Game two of the Rowan Gloucester series was basically a replay of the first with one small adjustment. In the circle game two for the Generals was sophomore #12 Casey Boltersdorf (Levittown, PA) who did one better for her team throwing her first no hitter of the season. Boltersdorf recorded no hits, no runs, and six strikeouts against this number seven Rowan team. The Generals produced well with the sticks again. Haddad cataloged two more doubles and three more RBIs in the book this second game. Also in the doubles category was third baseman #21 Alexis Ramos (Utica, NY) who smoked two to the grass and legged out two doubles against the arms of the Rowan outfield. Gardner came out hungry at the plate this game bashing a ball in the gap for an RBI triple. The final score of this game was 11-0.
