STAC SOFTBALL: WAVERLY WIPES OUT SIX-RUN DEFICIT; TOPS OWEGO, 7-6 (2024-04-18)

Valley Sport Report
WAVERLY - Waverly scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to finish off a rally from an early six-run deficit in a 7-6 win over Owego here Thursday afternoon in STAC Central Division softball action.

"This team never gives up," said Waverly coach Brent Doane. "We spotted them six runs early, which seems to be a regular occurrence with this bunch, but they fought back and never gave up.

"It took us until the bottom of the sixth to get the lead, and then we needed to play tough defense in the top of the seventh.

"Olivia Robinson really showed a lot of grit today," noted Doane. "She got better as the game went along, and (catcher) Hannah Carpenter called a great game.

"Meghan Apgar was a true spark for us today," said Doane. "She made a couple really nice plays in center field, but also went 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and really ignited our rallies.

"I am very proud of our effort," added Doane. "I wish our wins didn't need to be so dramatic, but we will take them."

The River Hawks scored three runs in the first inning, and three more in the second to take a 6-0 lead after 1 1/2 innings.

The Wolverines began their comeback in the fourth inning when senior Olivia Robinson led off with a walk, and quickly ended up on third base after a double by junior Meghan Apgar.

Freshman Lecksie Douglas put Waverly on the board with a two-run single to trim the deficit to 6-2. Douglas later scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of junior Brinn Cooney to close the gap to 6-3.

Freshman Hannah Carpenter led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Delaney Wheeler.

After Carpenter stole third base, junior Loralye Anthony flared a single to right field to draw within two runs, at 6-4.

Robinson then reached on an error, and Apgar stroked an RBI single to close the gap to 6-5, and advanced courtesy-runner Kaiya Horton to third base. With two outs, Horton scampered home on a wild pitch to tie the game at 6-6.

After Robinson pitched around a one-out single in the top of the sixth inning, the Wolverines plated the go-ahead run in the home half of the frame.

Cooney led off with a single up the middle, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Maddie Cron. With two outs, Cooney scampered home on a dropped pop fly to give Waverly a 7-6 lead.

Owego loaded the bases with one out on a pair of singles, sandwiched around a base on balls, but Robinson induced a comebacker to the circle and turned it into a force out at home, then got a groundball to Anthony at shortstop for the game’s final out.

Robinson earned the win, allowing six runs — four earned — on 12 hits, while striking out two and walking five in seven innings of work.

Apgar was 3-for-3 with two doubles, one run scored, and one RBI to pace Waverly’s eight-hit attack, while Douglas singled, scored one run, and had two RBI, and Cooney and Anthony each had one hit, one run scored, and one RBI.

Carpenter added a single and a run scored in the win, while Cron added a single, and Robinson scored one run.

Waverly, now 4-2, hosts Oneonta Friday.

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IN PHOTO: Waverly’s Meghan Apgar. … VSR STOCK PHOTOS.

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