HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: JOHNSTON THROWS NO-HITTER AS CORNING WINS REGIONALS AND HEADS BACK TO STATE FINAL FOUR (2025-06-05)

Southern Tier Sports Report
WOODBURY — Matti Johnston threw a no-hitter and the Corning softball team is headed back to the state final four after a 6-0 win over Middletown at Monroe-Woodbury in the Class AAA regional final on Thursday.

“We knew in the beginning of the year we thought we had some pretty good kids back that would give us a chance to compete for a league title, conference title, sectional title and make a run in the state tournament. It’s exciting for the kids who are back and exciting for the new kids that were not a part of it last year. It’s fun times, it was a different demeanor today when we won. Usually it’s crazy jubilation, but it’s almost like our kids expected to win and move forward.”

For senior Daphne Sherman it was special to get a shutout win in the regional final.

“It feels amazing to be regional champs,” Sherman said. “The shutout was insane. Our defense was so good today. I am beyond excited to be going back to states. It is the best feeling in the world.

“I’m excited for it to be in Binghamton, because now more people can come and feel the excitement with us for these next games.”

Johnston struck out seven and walked three in the perfect game for Corning, ranked second in AAA in the state. Corning, last year’s state champions, are looking to repeat as they head to the final four.

“She threw a two-hitter this year in the sectional final,” Johnston Jr. said. “No hitter last year in the sectional final, no-no through six innings in the state final (last year). Today she had a no-no in the sectional championships. When money is on the line we want the ball in her hands. She goes out and competes each pitch.

“She’s the first one to compliment her defensive unit, because she’s not going to strike everyone out. I thought Keana Mann, who moved from right to center field when Lauren DeRosa went down, and Lauren Teribury, those two made two or three great plays in center field and right field today.

Johnston had two hits, with a triple and two runs scored and Emilia Smith had two hits, with an RBI and a run scored.

Teribury, who hits sixth in the lineup, was 3-for-4 with a double and Mann, hitting eighth, had three hits and an RBI. Kayleigh Sparks and Mia Madden each had a hit, with Sparks scoring a run. The 6-9 hitters in the lineup all had hits for Corning and combined to go 8-for-15 in the game.

Sophie Schoonover scored two runs and Kendall Curreri had an RBI.

“Teribury had a couple line drive shots for base hits,” Johnston Jr. said. “Keana hit it hard again today. The bottom of our lineup has been on fire, what a compliment to our offense. They have been hot for a couple weeks now, peaking at the right time, which is huge.”

Mann is excited to make her first trip to the final four

“It feels amazing, all of us putting in the work to come out with a win at the end of the day,” Mann said. “I’m so excited to be in the final four and just enjoying every moment I have with this team. The game being close to home is so fortunate for some families and we will have all or our biggest supporters there cheering us on.”

The Hawks players are feeling good after the win

“It feels good,” Schoonover said. “It definitely feels good and Matti pitched such an amazing game. I’m so excited and completely confident in the team. It is definitely nice that it is so close and I think our fanbase will definitely deliver.”

Corning will play Friday at Green Light Grand Slam Park in the state semifinal against the winner of Lancaster and Rome Free Academy.

For Corning having the state final four in Binghamton is special.

“No doubt, we talked about it,” Johnston Jr. said. “What an opportunity to come back home and play in front of our local fans and the Binghamton, Elmira, Corning, Horseheads area. I’m expecting it to be a packed house. Nothing greater than Section 4 softball to host the state tournament.

“I think Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park has done a fantastic job putting that stadium together. It’s just a great opportunity, life long memories. I know they are really excited. We know we are going to have a formidable opponent, the teams you have to playa this point are really good.”

At least three Section 4 teams will be playing in Binghamton next weekend, with Horseheads and Deposit-Handock already clinching spots, and two more still have a chance to make the final four.

“Section 4 has proven to be successful in the New York State Tournament,” Johnston Jr. said. “Our section has more state champions than any other section in New York State. You’ve got to be proud of what Section 4 the product we are able to put out there, both as players, coaches and supporters.”
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