STAC SOFTBALL: CARPENTER'S WALK-OFF HOMER CAPS WAVERLY'S WILD, 13-12, COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN OVER CHENANGO VALLEY (16 PHOTOS) (2024-04-09)

Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Freshman Hannah Carpenter belted a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap Waverly’s wild, 13-12, come-from-behind (for the second time in the game) win over Chenango Valley here Tuesday afternoon in STAC Central Division softball action.

“Hannah (Carpenter) has shown us some potential for power, and she put it on display tonight,” said Waverly coach Brent Doane. “She was trying out a bigger bat. I guess it worked.”

The Wolverines trailed 6-0 after 2 1/2 innings, but rallied to take a 9-6 lead after five innings, only to give up six runs in the top of the sixth inning, and trail 12-9.

“Our kids fought hard tonight against a very good Chenango Valley squad,” said Doane. “They are well-coached and athletic.

“We were down 6-0 heading into the bottom of the third, and I wasn't sure how we would respond,” noted Doane. “We answered with nine runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings … I really thought we would hold our three-run lead at that point, but CV rallied. We made some mistakes in the sixth to help them.

“Assistant coach Terry and I have really been trying to get the kids to believe in themselves and each other and it looks like they are starting to buy in,” added Doane. “It truly was a team win tonight, everyone contributed and everyone played. I can't tell you how proud I am of this team right now. They are so much fun to be around, and they are hungry to learn.”

The Warriors plated three runs in the top of the first inning, and three more in the third to take a 6-0 lead, but the Wolverines answered in a big way.

Waverly’s third-inning rally began with four base on balls, and a passed ball to close the gap to 6-2. Junior Loralye Anthony, and senior Olivia Robinson capped the rally with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 6-4.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, junior Makayla Esau led off with a single, and later scored on an error to trim the deficit to 6-5. After a single by sophomore by Maddie Cron put runners on first and third, a CV error allowed a run to score to tie the game at 6-6.

Anthony and Robinson capped the rally with consecutive RBI doubles to make it 8-6.

Waverly extended its lead to 9-6 with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

CV scored its first run of the sixth inning on a dropped fly ball that would have been the third out, then rapped out six consecutive hits to plate five more runs to take a 12-9 lead.

Waverly answered immediately, scoring three runs with two outs to tie the game at 12-12.

Junior Meghan Apgar sparked the rally with a two-out walk, and scored on a pinch-hit RBI triple by senior Faith Blauvelt to make it 12-10.

Esau followed with an RBI triple to close the gap 12-11, then scored on a passed ball to tie the game.

Waverly starter Olivia Robinson pitched around a pair of singles in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for Carpenter’s heroics.

With one out, Carpenter drove a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence to send the Wolverines home winners.

Anthony had three hits, including a double, one run scored, and two RBI, Esau tripled and singled, scored four runs, and drove in one run, and Robinson doubled and singled, and knocked in two runs to pace Waverly’s 11-hit attack.

Carpenter homered, scored three runs, and drove in one run in the win, while Blauvelt tripled and knocked in one run, Cron, and Apgar each singled and scored one run, junior Brinn Cooney scored two runs, sophomore Delaney Wheeler scored one run, and drove in one run, and freshman Lecksie Douglas crossed the plate once.

Robinson earned the win, allowing six earned runs on 17 hits, while striking out six and walking three.

Waverly, now 2-1, hosts Elmira Wednesday afternoon.

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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Hannah Carpenter. … PHOTOS BY MIKE LUBERTOWICZ.