ELBRIDGE - It was a strong first round for the Jordan-Elbridge softball team. And the Eagles are hoping to turn Tuesday's effort into a strong second-round performance.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Jordan-Elbridge's Erika Peterson reacts after getting hit by a pitch in the third inning.
Jordan-Elbridge's Erika Peterson reacts after getting hit by a pitch in the third inning.
Jordan-Elbridge rolled in the first round of Section III Class B-1 playoffs, beating Holland Patent 16-3 Tuesday. The Eagles will now play top-seeded Westhill Thursday.
Jenn Gasparek pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and no walks while allowing seven hits and three runs, none earned.
“We gave it our all the whole game,” Gasparek said. “We knew we had to go in playing hard in order to win it. It started out a little rough but we pulled through and kept them down.”
In the top of the first the Eagles fell behind 1-0, but followed up in the bottom of the inning with two runs, never relinquishing the lead. Between the second and third inning, Jordan-Elbridge posted another six runs.
“They were hitting early and then Alicia Andrianos made some good catches in the outfield to pick up the pace and give the girls a boost of energy,” Eagles head coach Robin Smart said. “Gasparek pitched really well and we hit the ball, that made the difference.”
Leading offensively for the Eagles was Sarah Fordyce who went 3-for-5 with a double, a run, five RBIs, including her third home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth.
“When we came in we really wanted to win this for the seniors,” Fordyce said. “It seemed like it would be tough but we started cracking it and our bats were on fire.”
Jordan-Elbridge's Liz Caspari went 2-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs, a double and a stolen base, Andrianos went 2-for-4, adding a run and two RBIs, Erika Peterson was 1-for-3 contributing three runs and an RBI and Samantha Lewis walked three times and scored three runs.
Andrianos also performed well defensively for the Eagles, with four putouts in the outfield.
The Eagles celebrated senior night after postponing it to allow for the mourning of Aaron Guadagnolo, a former student at Jordan-Elbridge and a friend to many of the girls on the team who died in a motorcycle accident May 14.
“We lost the night after the accident to Cazenovia, 12-0,” Smart said. “It was a really hard game for the girls to play the night after his death. They just weren't in it, it was too much for them. This is a very tight-knit community and everyone is connected in some way. It's difficult when tragedy strikes like that.”
That tight-knit community attitude shows in the spirit of the team and how well they get along together, which may be a contributing factor to their success this season.
“The girls get along really well,” Smart said. “Their sportsmanship stays intact even when things are tough.”
The Eagles will need their team strength as they head into the second round of sectionals at Westhill. Jordan-Elbridge has fallen to Westhill twice this season - 7-2 and 15-6. They are hoping the third time is the charm.
“It will be a tough game,” Fordyce said. “We will go in with our full heart though and try to win it. We are prepared to play our best.”
Knowing what they are up against is a plus, giving the Eagles a chance to prepare for the Warriors instead of going in blind.
“Hopefully this win will boost their confidence going into the second round against Westhill,” Smart said. “We know it will be tough but the girls are ready and they want it badly.”
Eagles 16
G. Knights 3
Jenn Gasparek pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and no walks while allowing seven hits and three runs, none earned.
“We gave it our all the whole game,” Gasparek said. “We knew we had to go in playing hard in order to win it. It started out a little rough but we pulled through and kept them down.”
In the top of the first the Eagles fell behind 1-0, but followed up in the bottom of the inning with two runs, never relinquishing the lead. Between the second and third inning, Jordan-Elbridge posted another six runs.
“They were hitting early and then Alicia Andrianos made some good catches in the outfield to pick up the pace and give the girls a boost of energy,” Eagles head coach Robin Smart said. “Gasparek pitched really well and we hit the ball, that made the difference.”
Leading offensively for the Eagles was Sarah Fordyce who went 3-for-5 with a double, a run, five RBIs, including her third home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth.
“When we came in we really wanted to win this for the seniors,” Fordyce said. “It seemed like it would be tough but we started cracking it and our bats were on fire.”
Jordan-Elbridge's Liz Caspari went 2-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs, a double and a stolen base, Andrianos went 2-for-4, adding a run and two RBIs, Erika Peterson was 1-for-3 contributing three runs and an RBI and Samantha Lewis walked three times and scored three runs.
Andrianos also performed well defensively for the Eagles, with four putouts in the outfield.
The Eagles celebrated senior night after postponing it to allow for the mourning of Aaron Guadagnolo, a former student at Jordan-Elbridge and a friend to many of the girls on the team who died in a motorcycle accident May 14.
“We lost the night after the accident to Cazenovia, 12-0,” Smart said. “It was a really hard game for the girls to play the night after his death. They just weren't in it, it was too much for them. This is a very tight-knit community and everyone is connected in some way. It's difficult when tragedy strikes like that.”
That tight-knit community attitude shows in the spirit of the team and how well they get along together, which may be a contributing factor to their success this season.
“The girls get along really well,” Smart said. “Their sportsmanship stays intact even when things are tough.”
The Eagles will need their team strength as they head into the second round of sectionals at Westhill. Jordan-Elbridge has fallen to Westhill twice this season - 7-2 and 15-6. They are hoping the third time is the charm.
“It will be a tough game,” Fordyce said. “We will go in with our full heart though and try to win it. We are prepared to play our best.”
Knowing what they are up against is a plus, giving the Eagles a chance to prepare for the Warriors instead of going in blind.
“Hopefully this win will boost their confidence going into the second round against Westhill,” Smart said. “We know it will be tough but the girls are ready and they want it badly.”
Eagles 16
G. Knights 3
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