By Brian FeesSouthern Tier Sports Report
ELMIRA HEIGHTS — Early in the season the Edison softball team missed having Gabby Milazzo on the mound as she worked her way back from an injury.
On Thursday Milazzo was on the mound for the Spartans and she was dominant, hurling a one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts to lead Edison past Southern Cayuga 6-0 in the first round of the Section 4, Class C playoffs. Milazzo didn't walk anyone, and the Spartans threw out the only base-runner trying to steal second.
“She was in her zone today, it was an absolute shutdown performance, we are so proud of her,” Edison coach Liz Warren said. “I know it was a goal of hers to get herself back to where she was and I think she has done that and more so I’m proud of her.”
For Milazzo her curve was a key to her success Thursday.
“The curve was really good,” she said.
The Spartans players all have an extra confidence when Milazzo is pitching like she was Thursday.
“It gives me a lot of comfort,” Emma Maggs said.
It’s special for Milazzo to be healthy and playing well.
“It’s really good to be playing like this,” she said.
On Thursday it was early offense that helped lead the Spartans to the victory.
Edison scored three first inning runs and two runs in the second as they jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on their way to the win.
“It was really important,” Edison’s Maggs said of the early lead. “We all had good hits.”
The win was the fifth in a row for the Spartans.
“We are on a five-game streak and that’s been our goal was to win out for the last few games,” Warren said. “T/o see a young team come together the way they have and start clicking the way they have it’s irreplaceable.”
Southern Cayuga had a strong defense that made some big catches, including a running catch in center that robbed Edison of extra bases, and a leaping grab by the first baseman on a high throw.
For the Spartans they knew that Southern Cayuga’s defense would be solid so they would have to take advantage of every scoring chance they got.
We tried to capitalize on every opportunity we had on base and tried some things that we don’t usually try and it paid off for us,” Warren said.
Edison had five different players have hits in the game, with Maggs leading the way with two hits, with a double and an RBI.
For Maggs it’s nice to see everyone contributing in the win.
“I love it, it’s so good,” she said. “We are working as a team, it’s really good.”
Mariana Jones had a double, two RBI and a run scored and Brianna Korsky, Milazzo and Maddison Pack all had hits in the game. Korsky scored two runs and Milazzo had two RBI.
Maliyah McIver scored two runs in the game and Charlee Stroman scored a run in the game and Kailey Ripley had an RBI.
It’s onto the quarterfinals for Edison as they head to top seeded Greene for a 4:30 p.m. Game on Tuesday.
“We are so excited,” Warren said. “We have heard nothing but great things about Greene. We know it’s going to be a tough team to play, but we are ready for the challenge.”
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IN TOP PHOTO: Edison’s Gabby Milazzo delivers a pitch on Thursday. . . PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
