STAC SOFTBALL: WAVERLY CLOSES OUT REGULAR SEASON WITH 'HUGE WIN;' CRON POWERS RALLY IN 11-6 WIN OVER OWEGO (22 PHOTOS) (2025-05-15)

Valley Sports Report
OWEGO — Junior Maddie Cron had a pair of run-scoring hits, including a game-icing grand slam, late in the game in support of 8th-grader Taylin Gonzalez's complete game in Waverly 11-6 come-from-behind win over Owego here Thursday afternoon in STAC Central Division softball action.

"We played hard tonight," said Waverly coach Brent Doane.

"Taylin Gonzalez twirled a gem in the circle and we were able to beat a good Owego team," he noted. "They are well-coached, and we knew we needed to play well. We were coming off a tough loss to Seton (Wednesday),  so I wasn't sure what to expect."

"This is a huge win for us," added Doane. "It might be our biggest win of the season. Hopefully, this catapults us into the sectional playoffs with confidence."

The River Hawks built a 6-3 lead through five innings.

In the top of the sixth, Cron delivered a two-RBI double to close the gap to 6-5, and the Wolverines added a run on an error, and on an RBI groundout by Gonzalez to take a 7-6 lead.

"We trailed most of the game, but I was confident if we could keep things close, we would get a chance," said Doane. "That chance came in the top of the sixth down by three runs.  

"Maddie Cron came up big with a clutch double off the left-field fence driving in Ayla Wheeler and Brinn Cooney," added Doane.

After Gonzalez pitched around a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning, Waverly put the game on ice in the top of the seventh.

The Wolverines loaded the bases with two out on three River Hawk errors, then Cron slammed a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence to make it 11-6.

Owego put runners on in the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off single and a one-out walk, but Gonzalez registered a strikeout, and induced a game-ending groundout to junior first baseman Delaney Wheeler too end the threat.

"That (sixth) inning really swung momentum our way," said Doane. "Taylin was magnificent getting the next three of four hitters out in the bottom of the sixth.

"We were able to capitalize on a couple of Owego mistakes in the top of the seventh to load the bases and Maddie Cron came back to the plate," noted Doane. "This time, she put it over the left field fence for her third home run of the season, and first grand slam; that really gave us the breathing room we needed.  

"Taylin then worked a little magic against a tough Owego lineup in the bottom of the seventh giving up a leadoff single and a walk, but avoiding any damage," he added.

Cron had three hits, including a home run and a double, two runs scored, and six RBI to pace Waverly at the plate.

Sophomore Lecksie Douglas tripled, scored two runs, and drove in one run for the Wolverines, while Gonzalez singled, scored one run, and knocked in one run, 8th-grader Ayla Wheeler singled and scored two runs, sophomore Hannah Carpenter added a single, senior Brinn Cooney scored two runs, senior Meghan Apgar had one RBI, and Delaney Wheeler crossed the plate once.

Gonzalez earned the win, allowing six runs — one earned — on eight hits, while striking out four and walking one in seven innings.



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