Perry Dominates as Generals Sweep Finger Lakes in Doubleheader

HERKIMER, N.Y. – Sophomore pitcher Olivia Perry was nearly untouchable in the circle as the Herkimer Generals softball team swept Finger Lakes Community College in a home doubleheader Tuesday, winning 13-0 and 12-1 in five innings at Herkimer County Community College.

Perry was dominant across both games, striking out 23 batters while allowing just five hits and one earned run over 10 innings of work to lead the Generals to the sweep.

Game One: Herkimer 13, Finger Lakes 0 (5 innings)

Perry overwhelmed the Lakers in the opener, striking out 12 batters while surrendering just one hit and three walks in five scoreless innings.

The Generals wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Grace Neville drove in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning.

Herkimer broke the game open with a seven-run third inning. Emma Carlton and Neville each delivered RBI singles before Alexis Broderick added an RBI double. Lauren Kelly brought home a run with a groundout, Perry helped her own cause with an RBI single, Emma Powers followed with an RBI single, and another run scored during a double play to give the Generals an 8-0 advantage.

The offense wasn't finished, adding five more runs in the fourth inning. Broderick launched a two-run home run to center field, Kelly followed with a solo homer to left, and Powers capped the scoring with a two-run double.

Herkimer pounded out 15 hits in the victory. Carlton led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, while Powers and Broderick each drove in three runs. Roberts and Perry also recorded multiple hits.

Defensively, the Generals played a flawless game without committing an error, with Broderick handling a team-high 12 chances.

Game Two: Herkimer 12, Finger Lakes 1 (5 innings)

Perry picked up right where she left off in the nightcap, striking out 11 batters while allowing just one run on four hits in another complete-game performance.

Herkimer jumped out early with a four-run first inning. Neville opened the scoring with an RBI single before Perry cleared the bases with a two-run triple. Brianna Molter added an RBI single later in the frame to make it 4-0.

Finger Lakes scored its only run of the game in the bottom of the first on an inside-the-park home run by Anna Kurtzhais.

The Generals responded with a decisive five-run third inning, highlighted by RBI doubles from Emma Powers, Autumn Roberts, Emma Carlton, and Neville to extend the lead.

Herkimer finished with an impressive 19-hit attack. Lauren Kelly paced the offense with a 4-for-4 performance, collecting a double and three singles. Molter, Neville, Roberts, Carlton, and Perry each added multiple-hit games, while Powers drove in a team-high three runs from the ninth spot in the batting order.

The Generals were once again flawless defensively, committing no errors. Broderick led the defense with 11 fielding chances.

With the doubleheader sweep, Herkimer showcased its balanced attack, combining 34 hits, 25 runs, error-free defense, and Perry's dominant pitching performance to earn two convincing victories over Finger Lakes.