IAC SOFTBALL: WAVERLY RIDES 10-RUN FIRST-INNING RALLY TO 13-1 WIN OVER DRYDEN IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE (24 PHOTOS) (2024-05-11)

Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Waverly poured 10 runs across the plate in the bottom of the first inning, and wrapped up the regular season with a 13-1 five-inning win over Dryden here Saturday morning in non-league softball action.

Senior Olivia Robinson was the beneficiary of the offensive onslaught, allowing an unearned run on three hits, while striking out five and walking none to earn the win.

"We turned in a solid defensive performance behind Olivia (Robinson) today," said Waverly coach Brent Doane. "And, she threw with confidence.

"It was a great win," noted Doane. "It was Senior Day, lots of emotions … and we played well.

"I hope we can carry this play into sectionals," he added.

The Purple Lions struck first with an unearned run, thanks to a pair of errors, in the top of the first, but the Wolverines tied the game on a passed ball, and took a 2-1 lead on a groundout off the bat of sophomore Delaney Wheeler.

Consecutive run-scoring singles by juniors Loralye Anthony and Meghan Apgar made it 4-1. Waverly added three runs without the benefit of a hit, and sophomore Maddie Cron capped the rally with a two-out, three-run inside-the-park home to right field to make it 10-1.

"Maddie Cron delivered an inside-the-park home run, which really pumped everyone up," said Doane.

Robinson added a two-RBI single in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead to 12-1, and freshman Lecksie Douglas finished off the scoring with an RBI fielder’s choice in the fourth.

Anthony was 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI to pace Waverly’s 11-hit attack, while junior Brinn Cooney had two hits and two runs scored, and Cron homered, scored two runs, and had three RBI.

Robinson singled and had two RBI in the win, while Wheeler and Apgar each singled, scored one run, and drove in one run, freshman Kennadie Cochrane singled and scored one run, and freshman Hannah Carpenter added a single.

Seniors Faith Blauvelt and Kailee Purvis, and Douglas each scored one run, and had one RBI for the Wolverines.

Waverly, now 10-7, awaits word on the upcoming Section IV, Class B playoffs. The brackets are expected to be released Monday or Tuesday.

——————

IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Olivia Robinson. … PHOTOS 1-16 BY MATT PATTON … PHOTOS 17-24 BY MIKE LUBERTOWICZ.

Print Friendly Version