ALBANY, N.Y.— The Keuka College Softball team lost in the first round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament to Russell Sage College 5-0 on Tuesday afternoon.
Keuka College earned the fifth seed after going 6-8 in conference on the year with an overall record of 13-21. The Wolves had seven different players record hits in the loss to the Gators, including two hits from junior
Hali Jenner (Waverly, N.Y. Waverly).
Russell Sage College 5 – Keuka College 0
Emily Cutrona (Buffalo, N.Y. / West Seneca West) connected with the first pitch for a double to start the game out strong for the Wolves. She was left on base after a popup and two strikeouts. The Gators got on the board in the bottom of the first, scoring one run against the Keuka defense. The game went into the second inning with Russell Sage up 1-0.
The next three innings went on to be a defensive battle as neither team could get on the board. Pitcher
Olivia Flynn (Williamson, N.Y. / Williamson) led the way for the Wolves, allowing only three hits across her four innings pitched.
In the top of the fifth,
Haley Mascho (Bolivar, N.Y. / Bolivar-Richburg) hit a double to get things started for Keuka. However, she was left on base and unable to tie the game. The Gators scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-0 lead going into the sixth inning.
Makenna DeMoney (Conklin, N.Y. / Susquehanna Valley),
Hali Jenner, and
Payge Granger (Camden N.Y. / Camden) all singled in the top of the sixth to load the bases. The Wolves were not able to capitalize on the opportunity and left all three runners on base. Russell Sage scored two additional runs in the bottom of the inning to extend their lead to 5-0.
With one last opportunity to score,
Olivia Flynn hit a single in the top of the seventh but was not able to advance for the score. Russell Sage won the first round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament 5-0.
KC Notes:
- Keuka is 1-10 all-time against Russell Sage, the win against them earlier this season was the first
- The Wolves are 42-25 all-time in conference tournaments, the last win was in the first round of the NEAC tournament in 2019
- The Wolves hit 50 doubles this season, which is the sixth-best in program history
- First-year Hailey Jasinski (Buffalo, N.Y. / North Collins) hit 11 doubles this season, tied for second most in one season in program history