Kats Sweep Onondaga, Honor Sophomores, Head Into Postseason as No. 3 Seed

The SUNY Erie Women's Softball team closed out the regular season in impressive fashion, sweeping Onondaga Community College on Sunday at North Campus and carrying strong momentum into the postseason.

In game one, the Kats powered their way to a 16-9 win behind a relentless offensive attack. After an early deficit, Erie responded with a five-run first inning and continued to add on throughout the game. Haley Lerner and Olivia Orcholski each drove in four runs, while Ashlyn Pignone, Amelia Potter, Hailey Wisser, and Carly Fraser all contributed multiple hits in a 16-hit effort. Grace Szpylman went the distance in the circle, striking out 10 to earn the win.

Erie completed the sweep with a 7-1 victory in game two, which also served as a special moment for the program as the team honored its eight outgoing sophomores. A four-run fifth inning proved to be the difference, highlighted by Wisser's two-run double and Lerner's RBI single. Wisser also added a solo home run in the seventh, while Amelia Potter delivered a strong performance in the circle, allowing just one unearned run over seven innings.

With the sweep, the Kats finish the regular season strong and secure the No. 3 seed in Region III. Erie will now host No. 6 SUNY Niagara in a best-of-three first-round playoff series. Games one and two are set for Tuesday beginning at noon, with a decisive game three, if necessary, scheduled for Wednesday.

Riding momentum from an explosive offensive weekend and celebrating the contributions of its sophomore class, Erie enters postseason play with confidence and a balanced attack.