WAVERLY SNAPS 4-GAME SKID; HANDS S-VE SECOND LOSS OF SEASON

By: Tim Birney | Waverly Athletics | May 27, 2021 | Photo courtesy Mike Lubertowicz

WAVERLY — Waverly took advantage of an error to score a pair of runs in the sixth inning to pull out a 7-5 win over S-VE here Thursday afternoon in IAC softball action.

The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Lady Wolverines, and hands the Panthers, now 11-2, just their second loss of the season.

S-VE started fast with three runs in the top of the first inning, but Waverly scored runs in each of the first two innings to trim the deficit to 3-2.

Senior Sidney Tomasso walked to lead off the home half of the first, and scored on a throwing error, then senior Hali Jenner doubled to lead off the second, and scored when sophomore Michaela Lauper’s sacrifice bunt was misplayed.

The Lady Wolverines loaded the bases in the third inning, but could not push a run across.

In the fourth inning, junior Lourden Benjamin and freshman Peyton Shaw reached on consecutive errors to start the inning. Tomasso stroked an RBI single to right field and advance to third on an error on the play, while Shaw scored, to give Waverly a 4-3 lead.

Junior Bella Romano’s RBI groundout pushed the lead to 5-3.

The Lady Panthers tied the game on a two-out outfield error that allowed two runs to score in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for Waverly’s game-winning sixth-inning rally.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Tomasso reached second base on a throwing error. Tomasso advanced to third on a deep fly ball to center field off the bat of Romano, and scored on an RBI double by junior Aubrey Ennis to make it 6-5.

Freshman Olivia Robinson capped the rally with a line-drive RBI single to left field that made it 7-5.

Jenner retired the Lady Panthers in order in the top of the seventh inning to preserve the win.

Jenner earned the win, allowing five runs — three earned — on four hits, while striking out seven and walking two in seven innings in the pitcher’s circle.

Ennis doubled and singled, and drove in one run to pace Waverly at the plate, while Tomasso singled, scored three runs, and knocked in one run, Jenner doubled and scored one run, Robinson and Romano each singled and drove in one run, and Daddona, Benjamin, and Shaw scored one run apiece.

Rhianna Lawrence was the tough-luck loser for the Lady Panthers. She allowed seven runs — all unearned — on six hits, while striking out seven and walking four in six innings of work.

Lawrence also singled twice and scored two runs to lead S-VE at the plate.

Waverly, now 7-9, closes out the regular season June 5 when it hosts Owego.