SECTION 4 SOFTBALL: CORNING BLANKS ELMIRA AS THEY WIN SECTIONALS AND HEAD BACK TO REGIONALS (2025-06-01)

Southern Tier Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — Corning scored a first-inning run and that would be all they would need as they beat Elmira 4-0 to claim the Section IV, Class AAA title on Sunday.

After winning a state title last year, the sectional title is another step toward a repeat this year.

“It’s exciting, that’s (a sectional title) always the goal. We have accomplished our first three goals,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “Winning STAC West, winning the STAC Conference and winning the sectional championship. We are off to a great start a lot more to come.”

This is a special time of year for the Hawks.

“I am so happy with my team,” senior Daphne Sherman said. “Our defense was so good today, Matti was on fire on the mound. I cannot wait to go back to regionals, this is the best, most exciting time of the season and we are all ready.”

It’s now off to regionals for the Hawks as they head to Monroe Woodbury at noon on Saturday against Section 9 winner Middletown. Corning is ranked fourth in the state in AAA.

Mattisen Johnston threw a two-hit shutout, striking out eight in the game.

“Last year the first game she started and threw the whole game in sectionals she threw a no hitter,” Johnston Jr. said. “She was really solid. She needed rest. After two weeks ago when she threw seven games in seven days. This has been really good for her the last week and a half, she’s been able to rest and get her legs back. Here defense, she’ll be the first to tell you, was outstanding today.”

For Johnston it’s special to be sectional champs again

“It’s an amazing feeling to win sectionals again,” Johnston said. “It’s hard to win one, but even harder to win another one, especially when there is so much familiarity. My teammates made some great plays behind me and gave us the opportunity to advance to the next round.

“We are proud of the three championships we have won so far, STAC West, STAC Championship, and sectionals. We take it game by game as if it were a championship game, with our goal being another state championship.”

Sophie Schoonover drove in all four Corning runs. She had four RBI and a triple in the game.

“Sophie Schoonover was phenomenal at the plate today,” Johnston Jr. said. “She had two hits and drove in all four runs. We had several other kids who had hits and kept innings alive. We just found a way to get kids on base and Sophie knocked them in.”

It’s a special day for Corning’s players

“The opportunity is so special,” Schoonover said. “Our coaches and fans believe in us more than anything and we most definitely believe in ourselves. We just go out and execute and trust in our training and hard work. Not to mention Matti Johnston pitching an amazing game, our outfield having some clutch plays and our infield executed to help us get the win

“Going back to regionals is so exciting and keeping in mind that pressure is a privilege going into the game is going to allow us to keep winning and advance to the state championship. It’s definitely a nice feeling to have the win, but we know we’re not done until we win the Class AAA Championship again.”

Kendall Curreri had a hit and scored two runs and Lauren Teribury, Kayleigh Sparks and Mia Madden had hits in the game. Madden and Johnston scored runs.

Addisyn Chorney and Marley Devlin had the Elmira hits.

Devlin struck out five and allowed six hits and four runs, just one earned, for Elmira in the game.

Sectionals is special, but now things shift to regionals

“We are proud of our kids winning these three championships to start the season, but we have loftier goals in mind,” Johnston Jr. said. “The first year we did it was overwhelming, exciting. Last year was a little better in the sense of how to navigate as players and coaches. Right now we are on a quest to win another state championship. The way everything is set up it would be our third in five years (with one year the championship not played due to Covid).”

And, this year the state final four is in Binghamton, right back at Greenlight Park where Corning just won sectionals, after winning the STAC there.

“It’s exciting, it will be the first time we have had the state championships in our area,” Johnston Jr. said. “What a facility Greenlight Grand Slam Park has put together. It was great today, four games being payed, and for us to have a chance to play the STAC semifinals, STAC finals and today in the sectional championship, we have a comfort level there.”

The Hawks have a mix of younger and older players on the team. For the seniors this means continuing their careers as they head into regionals.

“Very special moment and something I will be eternally grateful for,” senior Kendall Curreri said. “I am so grateful to be able to play with this team. Everybody has a special place in my heart and there is no one else I would want to do this with. Big shout out to Matti and all the hard work she does to be able to be as dominant as she is on the mound, and a shout out to all other defensive players as well. I see the way they work hard and persevere and it is truly admirable

“Very excited to go back to regionals. It’s always so much fun and such a great experience, so I am very excited to have this opportunity again and there is no other team I would rather do it with.”

The team also has some players who won their first sectional crown on Sunday.

“I just moved to Corning this year, so to win my first sectional title was big for me,” Keana Mann said. “I am extremely happy with how well my team played together as one big family to get us where we are now.

“I am very excited to now be heading to regionals where we can win and continue our journey to win the state title. I have great relief that the first one is done, but we still have three games to go and I’m confident we will succeed.”
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