SECTION IV SOFTBALL: RESILIENT AND OPPORTUNSTIC TIOGA RALLIES TO UPEND UNION SPRINGS, 4-3; ADVANCES TO CLASS C TITLE GAME (2025-05-29)

Valley Sports Report
AURORA, N.Y. — Resilient and opportunistic are two words that seem to best sum up Tioga's 4-3 upset win over state-ranked Union Springs here Thursday afternoon in the semifinals of the Section IV, Class C playoffs at the former Wells College.

The resiliency comes from the fact the Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit against an unbeaten Wolves team, ranked sixth in the State, that beat them 13-1 in the regular season, and 4-0 two weeks ago in the IAC Small School championship game.

"Losing twice (to Union Springs) was tough for us," said Tioga coach Stephanie Hills. "The first game we struggled all-around ... in the  second game, we corrected defensive mistakes for the most part but couldn’t wake up our bats.

"This game we were focused on doing everything as sound as possible," she noted. "We finally were able to wake up our bats offensively as a whole, which was the difference this time.

"Our whole team played together and had a determination to win," added Hills. "I am unbelievably proud of the team as a whole for working together and staying mentally tough the entire game."

For Tioga — ranked 16th in the state, the win also avenges a loss to Union Springs in last year's Class C championship game.

Union Springs scored twice in the bottom of the second inning, and added a run in the third on an RBI triple by Gracie Chalupnicki to make it 3-0.

Kithcart stranded Chalupnicki on third base with three consecutive strikeouts to end the third inning. She allowed just three hits, including a pair of doubles by Chalupnicki, over the final four innings.

Kithcart earned the win, allowing three runs — all earned, on nine hits, while striking out five and walking one in seven innings.

"Kate (Kithcart) has been an integral part to our success since stepping into the pitcher's circle," said Hills. "She stays composed throughout the entire game, regardless of what happens."

The opportunistic comes in regard to the Tigers loading the bases in the top of the fourth inning on one-out singles by senior McKenzie Williams and junior Emily Shiner, and a walk to junior Lillie Mezzatesta, and scoring two runs on passed balls during the same at-bat to close the gap to 3-2.

In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore Jade Keaty reached on an error, stole second, and moved to third on a bunt single by junior RaeAnne Feeko.

With two outs, Williams singled up the middle to drive home the tying run.

"Kenz is in the 4-spot for just that reason," said Hills. "She is relaxed under pressure and stays consistent while batting."

After stealing third base, Feeko swiped home to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead.

Chalupnicki led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, but was stranded at third base.

Chalupnicki ripped a two-out double in the seventh inning, and Kithcart hit the next batter, but she induced a groundball to Shiner at second base for the final out.

Williams singled twice and drove in one run, and Feeko and Shiner each singled and scored one run to pace Tioga's eight-hit attack.

Kithcart, senior Erin Luther, junior Raegan Foley, and 8th-grader Bri Lounsbury each added a single for the Tigers, and Keaty scored one run.

Tioga, now 15-3, will square off with the state's top-ranked Deposit-Hancock — last year's Class D state champion — Saturday at noon on Field 1 of the Greenlight Grand Slam Park in Binghamton.

Tioga will play for its first Section IV title since 2009, and only its second in program history. The Tigers are 0-4 in the finals since 2009.

———————————

IN PHOTO: Tioga's Kate Kithcart. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

———————————

IN PHOTO: Tioga's Kate Kithcart. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

Print Friendly Version