HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: BIG HIT, DOMINANT PITCHING BY MEGAN WOLF HELP HORSEHEADS RALLY PAST CORNING (24 PHOTOS) (2023-04-26)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
HORSEHEADS — Things haven’t gone exactly as Megan Wolf and the Horseheads softball team had hoped to start the year.

The Blue Raiders entered Tuesday with a 2-7 record on the year and Wolf has been working to try and get back into the pitching rhythm she had at the end of last season.

On Tuesday things weren’t looking much better early against the Corning Hawks, a state ranked opponent who entered 7-2 on the year.

Runs in the second and third innings by the Hawks, the second on a solo home run by Daphne Sherman, had the Blue Raiders down 2-0.

That’s when everything changed. A hit batter, a single by Belle Giammichele had two runners on for Wolf, and she delivered, ripping a two-run triple to tie the game.

A passed ball led to Wolf scoring and suddenly Wolf was pitching with the lead.

“Getting the lead is very helpful,” Wolf said. “When you are going out on the mound you can be a little more comfortable and loose out there instead of tense and tight. So, definitely getting the lead helped with that.”

Wolf then took over on the mound the rest of the way. After her big hit Wolf was perfect the rest of the way, retiring the next 12 batters in order and getting the last six outs by strikeout. She struck out nine of the final 12 batters of the game, and had 13 strikeouts on the night, allowing just two hits in the win.

“It felt great just to be able to come out with a win and get a good team win,” Wolf said. “I have been working on some things (on the mound) and having it pay off tonight was really beneficial, because it’s a good motivator and confidence booster going forward.”

Wolf had the triple and two RBI, and a run scored at the plate in the game. For Wolf that hit was a big moment for her.

“That felt great just to be able to get the runs in and be able to score and be the leading run,” she said.

Horseheads got two hits from Giammichele and Wolf, Olivia French, Maddie Matkosky and and Molly Wolf had hits in the game. Kristen Cole and Giammichele scored runs for Horseheads.

Sherman had the home run for Corning and Lily MacNeal had a hit and an RBI. Lauren DeRosa scored the other Corning run.

Peyton Sullivan struck out eight and allowed six hits and just one walk for Corning in the game.

For Horseheads it was a big win to beat a good team like Corning.

“Corning is probably our biggest rivals and just being able to get that win is huge,” Wolf said.

It was a tough start to the season for Horseheads, as they got off to a 1-7 start to the year, but they have now won two straight after beating Johnson City in their last game. Wolf is starting to come on strong for the Blue Raiders on the mound, striking out 24 batters over her past 12 innings and allowing just three hits during that stretch.

“Having two wins in a row is a great boost forward,” Wolf said.
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IN TOP PHOTO: Horseheads’ Megan Wolf delivers a pitch. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES