NYSPHSAA SOFTBALL: CORNING STRIKES FIRST, BUT FALLS TO LANCASTER IN STATE SEMIS (24 PHOTOS) (2025-06-13)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — The Corning Hawks came out of the gates looking the part of the defending Class AAA state champions.

The Hawks scored two runs in the top of the first inning, but in the end they were only able to push one more run across in a 6-3 loss to Lancaster in the state semifinals on Friday afternoon.

“They did (Lancaster hit the ball) and we hit it and we hit it right at them. We had four or five line drives right at people,” Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. said. “I’m a firm believer it’s about eliminating mistakes and we made a couple of those today and they capitalized on them.

“They are a really good team one through nine. We knew that coming into it, scouting report wise. I think their catcher (Brennan DeWald) is the best catcher we’ve seen all year long, she just commands the field. I have a lot of respect for her. Like I said, everyone hits for them. Their pitcher (Alyssa Brunner) had three doubles today and that’ huge. Both teams had two errors, it was pretty even as far as the hits were 7-6, but it was just the timeliness of the hits for them.”

Corning struck first in the game as Matti Johnston walked and Kendall Curreri sacrificed her to second. Sophie Schoonover, who had two hits in the game, hit an RBI single and Emelia Smith, who also had two hits in the game, had an RBI double.

Lancaster came right back with two runs in the bottom of the first, then they added two more in the second to go up 4-2.

Corning got a run in the sixth as Smith walked and moved to second on a passed ball. She moved to third on a groundout off the bat of Lauren Teribury and then scored on an error to make it 4-3.

It was 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth when DeWald hit a two-run single. That proved to be big as Corning had runners on second and third in the seventh, but weren’t able to come back from the three-run deficit.

“It’s 4-3 and it kind of changes how you have to attack them,” Johnson Jr. said. “But, I thought DeWald, their catcher and Brunner, their pitcher, they were 3-for-4 and 3-for-3 in the game. They had six of their seven hits, so kudos to them. One hits in the leadoff spot and the other in the four stick. You go out and you pitch a game like she did and then you hit the ball too. And, I was really impressed by their shortstop. She’s a stud, she eats it up out there. She has a cannon for an arm. They have a great chance to win it.”

Smith and Schoonover each had two hits, an RBI and a run scored for Corning. Smith had a double and a walk.

Senior Kendall Curreri and Keana Mann each had hits in the game. Johnston scored the run and walked twice.

Johnston struck out seven and allowed seven hits and six runs, four earned.

Dewald was 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored for Lancaster and Bruner had three doubles and an RBI. She threw a six hitter, allowing two runs, one earned, striking out seven on the mound.

“They are solid, they are really good, they were better than we were today,” Johnston Jr. said. “I thought we hit the ball really hard, but we hit it right at them. But, I can name probably 5-6 line drives right at people that if they fall in it’s maybe a different game, but can’t look back. I’m proud of our kids and what they accomplished this year and they are a pretty junior laden team with some sophomores sprinkled in and we lose three great seniors who have been a big part of our program for 3-4 years and they will be tough to replace. But great experience for our kids to get back here. You have to be proud of that they are putting themselves on the map in NY State that they are a team to contend with.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE GAME:


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