Softball Celebrates Sophomores
Erie Community College softball proudly honored its seven sophomore players on Thursday in a heartfelt ceremony ahead of their home doubleheader against crosstown rival SUNY Niagara.
The ceremony recognized the dedication, leadership, and contributions of Olivia Ball, Emma Poitras, Cheyenne Barnard, Briana Farnsworth, Isabella Raimondi, Kira Kilonsky, and Anna Cervino. Each player was celebrated for their commitment to the program and received a commemorative plaque in appreciation of their time with Erie Community College.
Head Coach Craig Leone remarked, "We're so proud of what each of these student athletes have accomplished and we are excited to see what comes next for them in their academic, athletic and professional journeys."
Following the ceremony, the Kats took the field against SUNY Niagara in a spirited matchup, marking one of the final home appearances for the sophomore class. The Kats continued the celebation, taking game one 9-1.
The Kats got on the board in the first inning after Poitras singled, scoring one run. A tag up by Mikayla Gallivan, a tag up by Farnsworth, and a single by Poitras helped Erie extend their early lead in the second. A double by Cervino extended the SUNY Erie Kats Softball lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the third inning.
Grace Szpylman stepped in the circle first for SUNY Erie Kats Softball. The righty gave up seven hits and one run over five innings, striking out six and walking two.
Erie accumulated 12 hits in the game. Poitras went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Cervino and Poitras each drove in two runs for SUNY Erie Kats Softball. Carly Fraser led the team with two walks.
In the second game, Erie could not hold onto the lead against the Thunderwolves falling 10-8 despite leading by four at one point and outhitting Niagara 14 hits to 11. Raimondi, Ball, Fraser, Poitras, and Farnsworth each collected two hits for Erie.
The Kats opened the scoring in the first after Poitras doubled, scoring two runs. Niagara tied the game up in the bottom of the first thanks to two errors. The Thunderwolves took the lead in the bottom of the second after an error scored one run, to put them up 3-2.
Erie flipped the game on its head in the top of the third, scoring five runs on six hits to take the lead, 7-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a solo home run to left field by Ball.
Niagara returned the favor in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 8-7.
Barnard opened the game on the mound. The starter gave up 10 hits and nine runs (one earned) over three and one-third innings, striking out two and walking one.
Erie stands at 8-14 heading into the final stretch of the season. Up next, they will host Finger Lakes Community College for two games on Tuesday, April 29th.