The Major’s division of Downtown Little League softball had two exciting playoff games last weekend. In the first playoff game, the third place Cavaliers defeated the second place Red Storm 7 to 4.
The Cavaliers started strongly with Grace Kirwin doubling and Chase Behar driving in a run to give the upstart Cavaliers a 2 to 0 lead June 12. In the bottom of the second, the Red Storm tied the game with a key hit from Ella Curtis.
In the top of the third, the Cavaliers scored two runs to take a 4 to 2 lead. In the fourth inning, the Red Storm’s Aeryn Lubelsky hit a scorching line drive to center to bring the Red Storm within a run.
In the bottom of the fifth, Isabella Palaez scored a run to tie the game. In the sixth inning, the Cavaliers scored three runs to take the lead. The Cavalier’s pitcher, Jamie Morrison, pitched a perfect sixth inning for the win.
Critical to the Cavalier’s win was the defensive performance of the catcher Ava Wallis who kept the Red storm from advancing on the bases. The Red Storm also had strong defensive performances from Annabella Palaez and Zoe Anderson.
In the championship game June 13, the Cavaliers defeated the regular season champions, the Wildcats 7 to 2.
Once again, the Cavaliers started out strongly with three runs in the top of the first. Julietta Orciuoli had a key single and Ava Wallis and Maddy Boyce scored in the first inning for the Cavaliers.
In the bottom of the first, the Wildcats’ Emma Whitman had a double, but was unable to cross home plate. In the second inning, with strong pitching by Jamie Morrison for the Cavaliers and Ella Carter for the Wildcats, neither team was able to score a run.
In the top of the third, Chase Behar, Marriane Dowd and Julietta Orciuoli had singles and the Cavaliers took a commanding 7 to 0 lead.
In the fifth inning, the Wildcats scored their first run with a double by Ava Whitman. In relief, Ava Whitman of the Wildcats pitched flawlessly.
The Wildcats also had strong defense from Harriet and Brighid Albright and Leah Meyerson. In the bottom of the sixth, Ella Carter singled and scored on an Ava Whitman triple to bring the score to 7 to 2 but the rally ended there.
In the Cavaliers road to the championship, they were aided by strong defense from at first base from Evie Schoneman and outfielders, Carly Adams and Devon Karabees-Lamer.
