HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: WOLF HURLS SHUTOUT, SCORES WINNING RUN, FRESHMAN RIBBLE COMES UP BIG IN HORSEHEADS WIN (24 PHOTOS) (2024-04-09)
By Brian FeesSouthern Tier Sports ReportELMIRA — Megan Wolf threw a shutout on the mound, and scored the go-ahead urn, while freshman Maddie Ribble made big plays at the plate, and in the field, to seal Horseheads 2-0 win over Elmira.
“Elmira is one of our rivals, so it’s always nice to get the win over them,” Wolf said. “And, coming off the loss to Vestal, it’s really good momentum.”
Because of Mother Nature wiping out last week’s games the Blue Raiders and Express hadn’t been on the field since March 28.
Wolf threw a three-hitter for Horseheads, striking out 12 in the game.
For the Blue Raiders pitcher she was confident pitching on the mound knowing she had a strong defense behind her.
“I guess I just knew I had my D behind me and I just had to do my job,” Wolf said. “My D was behind me and if they made an error I’d get it back on the mound, if I did something wrong they’d get it back in the field. It was really just a team effort all together.”
The game was scoreless into the seventh inning when Horseheads got a two-out double by Wolf. The inning started by Sophia Bonnell singling, but Elmira’s defense turned a double play.
With two outs Wolf drove a double to left and one batter later Ribble put the ball in play and reached on an error, allowing Wolf to score.
“Just knowing the situation and being able to come through when I had the opportunity,” Wolf said.
Wolf knew that when she got the double she would be driven in.
“Having Ribble behind me is always a good feeling,” Wolf said. “She can put the ball in play, so I have the ability to run.”
After a Caitlyn Yearick walk the Blue Raiders got another run as Reagan Burger hit a ground ball and reached on an error, scoring Ribble.
Ava Cornacchio reached on an error for Elmira with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Wolf got a strikeout, then Ribble ended the game by fielding the ball and diving to second to get the final out of the game.
“Very proud (of Ribble),” Wolf said. “She’s a hard worker and she gets the job done when we need her to, so very proud of her.”
Wolf was calm on the mound when she pitched the bottom of the seventh.
“No nerves, just calm,” she said. “Be loose, be ready to go. I can do my thing, my D can do their thing.”
With a younger roster this year it was a big win confidence wise for the Blue Raiders.
“Very big,” Wolf said. “Knowing people can be in these positions, make the plays and do the things we need to do.”
Wolf had two of Horseheads three hits in the game and Bonnell had the other hit. Wolf and Ribble scored the runs.
Cornacchio was dominant in relief for Elmira. She threw 6 2/3 innings for Elmira, striking out six and allowing two hits and two unearned runs. Aleida Algosto got the first out of the game.
Addison Taft had two hits, with a double, for Elmira and Agosto had the other hit.
Taft was at third in the sixth inning when she led off with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. But, Wolf got back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat.
Addisyn Chorney reached third in the bottom of the fourth when she reached on an error and got to second base and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Again, Wolf came up with big strikeouts, getting three straight strikeouts to end the threat.
———
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.
