WEEDSPORT - After a 12-inning battle with Weedsport in the Cayuga County Softball Tournament first round, Cato-Meridian coach Matt Tehonica didn't know if his team would have anything left for the title game.
In fact, the Blue Devils had plenty left in the tank, toppling Port Byron 7-0 Saturday to claim the long-awaited title.
“This is the first trophy that we have earned in about 25 years,” Tehonica said. “We haven't earned a trophy since 1985 and we really wanted to get this one.”
Cato-Meridian defeated Weedsport 8-7 in the first game, while Port Byron got by Southern Cayuga 9-7.
With only a 10-minute break between games, the Blue Devils never lost focus throughout the afternoon.
“It would have been very easy for the girls on either of the teams to fall apart and they didn't,” Tehonica said. “I was very impressed that neither team seemed to tire out and both teams dug deep.”
Julia Pratt was named the tournament's most valuable player, while Cato-Meridian's Chelsea Terpening, Port Byron's Ali Short, Southern Cayuga's Lianna May and Weedsport's Libby Marsden made the all-tournament team.
Terpening was playing with a heavy heart, having lost her great grandfather earlier in the week.
“She wrote 'Gramps' in the dirt before going out every inning today,” Tehonica said. “I just know that it was a tough day for her but she played her heart out.”
Terpening went 2-for-3 with a triple to lead Cato-Meridian in the title game. Meghan Meeks contributed two hits while Chelsea Townsend, Nicole Aylesworth and Pratt each added one hit for the Blue Devils.
Port Byron's Kelsie Bennett picked up two hits, both doubles, Shelby Gilbert tallied two hits and Nica Dare finished with one hit.
Amy Thomas went the distance for Cato-Meridian, throwing two strikeouts and allowing only five hits.
“I always try to get as much out of them as I know they can do,” Tehonica said. “I know my players and I may push but I always know how well they can do.”
That push worked, as the Blue Devils increased their lead in the top of the fifth, extending their lead with a four-run inning. Cato-Meridian batted around, picking up six hits in the inning, starting with a leadoff single by Shayna Marriam.
“Our offense was a lot better today than they have been in previous games,” Tehonica said. “They were much improved out there, it was nice to see our bats swinging.”
In the consolation game, Weedsport beat Southern Cayuga 9-6. Marsden went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs, a stolen base and a home run while Myers earned the win, allowing six hits with two strikeouts.
In the first-round loss to Cato-Meridian, Marsden had two hits, Allison Chase had two hits and three RBIs and Jordan Roe pitched a complete game.
In Port Byron's first-round win, Short went 4-for-4 with two home runs, while Corey Ryan, Nica Dare and Lea Church each had two hits.
Southern Cayuga's Lianna May went 4-for-4 with two home runs, while Felicia Allen added a home run too.
The Blue Devils (5-6) travel to LaFayette Monday.
Blue Devils 7
Panthers 0
“This is the first trophy that we have earned in about 25 years,” Tehonica said. “We haven't earned a trophy since 1985 and we really wanted to get this one.”
Cato-Meridian defeated Weedsport 8-7 in the first game, while Port Byron got by Southern Cayuga 9-7.
With only a 10-minute break between games, the Blue Devils never lost focus throughout the afternoon.
“It would have been very easy for the girls on either of the teams to fall apart and they didn't,” Tehonica said. “I was very impressed that neither team seemed to tire out and both teams dug deep.”
Julia Pratt was named the tournament's most valuable player, while Cato-Meridian's Chelsea Terpening, Port Byron's Ali Short, Southern Cayuga's Lianna May and Weedsport's Libby Marsden made the all-tournament team.
Terpening was playing with a heavy heart, having lost her great grandfather earlier in the week.
“She wrote 'Gramps' in the dirt before going out every inning today,” Tehonica said. “I just know that it was a tough day for her but she played her heart out.”
Terpening went 2-for-3 with a triple to lead Cato-Meridian in the title game. Meghan Meeks contributed two hits while Chelsea Townsend, Nicole Aylesworth and Pratt each added one hit for the Blue Devils.
Port Byron's Kelsie Bennett picked up two hits, both doubles, Shelby Gilbert tallied two hits and Nica Dare finished with one hit.
Amy Thomas went the distance for Cato-Meridian, throwing two strikeouts and allowing only five hits.
“I always try to get as much out of them as I know they can do,” Tehonica said. “I know my players and I may push but I always know how well they can do.”
That push worked, as the Blue Devils increased their lead in the top of the fifth, extending their lead with a four-run inning. Cato-Meridian batted around, picking up six hits in the inning, starting with a leadoff single by Shayna Marriam.
“Our offense was a lot better today than they have been in previous games,” Tehonica said. “They were much improved out there, it was nice to see our bats swinging.”
In the consolation game, Weedsport beat Southern Cayuga 9-6. Marsden went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs, a stolen base and a home run while Myers earned the win, allowing six hits with two strikeouts.
In the first-round loss to Cato-Meridian, Marsden had two hits, Allison Chase had two hits and three RBIs and Jordan Roe pitched a complete game.
In Port Byron's first-round win, Short went 4-for-4 with two home runs, while Corey Ryan, Nica Dare and Lea Church each had two hits.
Southern Cayuga's Lianna May went 4-for-4 with two home runs, while Felicia Allen added a home run too.
The Blue Devils (5-6) travel to LaFayette Monday.
Blue Devils 7
Panthers 0
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.