YOUTH SOFTBALL (16U): VALLEY STORM SPLITS FIRST TWO GAMES OF WINTER SEASON (2019-01-11)

Valley Sports Report
BINGHAMTON - The Valley-based Valley Storm 16U softball team split its first two games of the season Saturday here in the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex Youth Softball League.

The Storm dropped a 3-2 decision to Deposit in its season-opener, then bashed its way to a 14-6 win over Troy in the nightcap.

Deposit 3, Valley Storm 2
Deposit ace Mackenzie Stiles, who has a New York State Class D title under her belt, out-dueled Valley Storm ace Megan Bennett in a 3-2 win here in the opening game of the season.

Stiles, who is committed to the University of Pittsburgh, allowed two unearned runs on five hits, while striking out 11 and walking one in 6 innings of work to earn the win.

Athens' Bennett allowed three runs - one earned - on three hits, while striking out six and walking two.

Athens' Harley Sullivan doubled, scored one run, and drove in one run, and Corning's Jenna Case doubled and drove in a run to lead the Storm at the plate.

Bennett tripled in the loss, and Towanda's Maddie Maynard and Elmira's Sophie Smith added singled.

Valley Storm 14, Troy 6
Horseheads' Alexia Wahl-Knowlden hit one of Valley Storm's three home runs and drove in four runs to pace the offense in a 14-6 win over Troy.

Valley Storm took a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Troy chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 6-6 after three innings.

Megan Bennett and Maddie Maynard each hit two-home runs in an eight-run, fourth-inning outburst, and Wahl-Knowlden slammed a three-run double.

Bennett struck out the side in the home half of the fourth to slam the door on the win.

Bennett homered and double, scored two runs and drove in two runs, and Maynard homered and singled, scored one run, and had two RBI in the Storm's 14-hit attack, while Elmira's Shelby Smith rapped a pair of doubles, scored one run, and knocked in two runs, and Athens' Harley Sullivan doubled twice, scored two runs, and drove in one run.

Jenna Case doubled and singled for the Storm, while Athens' Emma Repsher doubled, scored one run, and drove in one run, Waverly's Hali Jenner doubled and scored two runs, and Sophie Smith singled and scored a run. Waverly's Morgan Lee and Megan Lee each scored a run.