The softball team faced the nation's top ranked team and came up just short in both games Monday at the BAGSAI Softball Complex, forcing extra innings in game one before falling 4-2, and coming up on the short end in game two, 4-3. The Generals (20-0) struck first, scoring a run in the fourth and another in the fifth before the Hornets (10-6) responded with a run in the fifth and the sixth to knot it up at 2-2. Neither team could plate another run in the seventh forcing the extra inning. Herkimer got two runs in the top of the eighth for the 4-2 lead and win. Broome made the most of their opportunities with Katelyn Page and Paige Finch the only hitters to get a hit, and Alyssa Hovey coming up big with two sacrifice bunts. Kali Puppolo turned in a solid performance for the visitors, striking out 12 and walking just 4 batters.
Game two of the matchup saw the Hornets jump on the board first, scoring two runs in the third and another in the fifth inning for the 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Herkimer plated all four of their runs in the bottom of the fourth off a Broome error and homerun by Jennah Hogan for the 4-3 final. The Hornets' bats fared a little better in the nightcap with Mikayla Garbarino and Madison Lapinski having multi-hit games, and Kylee Warner and Alea Tiffany each having a hit, Warner's of the double variety. Warner came up strong on the mound and went the distance in both games for the host team.
Prior to the doubleheader, both teams paused for a picture with a black and gold wreath brought by the Herkimer softball team in rememberance of Broome's Miranda "Giff" Gifford, whose life was tragically cut short in an automobile accident this past fall. Thank you Herkimer, PJ Anodio, the coaching staff and players for the kind gesture.
Up next is a road trip out to Sanborn for another Region III contest against Niagara County CC scheduled for a 3:00 P.M. start.