The Corning softball teams season came to a close in the Region III finals as they dropped both contests to Monroe CC, 7-4 and 4-0 @ Genesee Community College.
In Game 1, Monroe CC started the scoring with 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. However, the inning could have been much bigger if not for a double play turned by Yvonne Hartridge, who caught a ball in deep left field in foul territory and threw a runner out at 3rd base, courtesy of a nice tag by Ciera Sprague. Good defense leads to good offense, as the Red Barons used the momentum from their defensive efforts and put up a 4 spot in the top of the 4th to take the lead, 4-2. The first 3 batters reached base loading the bases with no outs, Michele DiNicola scored on a ground out to short, another out occurred, then Corning scored 2 runs on a single by Alana Eaton and 1 more run with a Danielle Dille single before ending the inning.
That was all the scoring the Red Barons would get for the game as Monroe tied the game with a 2-run HR in the Bottom of the 5th and then tacked on 3 more in the bottom of the 6th to win the game, 7-4.
In Game 2, the contest was tied heading into the top of the 4th as neither team could get anything going offensively. The Corning bats were held to 4 hits on the day, none of which were in the same inning. Monroe scored 2 runs in the top of the 4th and 2 runs in the top of the 5th, eventually winning the game, 4-0. Rhilea Chabot pitched a complete game, giving up 9 hits and 4 earned runs in the game.
Danielle Dille, Sam Hauck, and Michele DiNicola were all honored at the Regional Finals with All-Region III designations for their outstanding season on the diamond. Dille played great defense at 2nd base and hit even better, ending the season with a .479 batting average and 37 RBI's to go with it. Sophomore outfielder Sam Hauck ended her Red Baron career with a .481 batting average, 5 HR's and 48 RBI's on the year.
Michele DiNicola again took home the top honor, as she was already named the Player of the Year in the Mid-State Athletic Conference before she took home the same honor in Region III. She hit .526 with 17 HR's and 80 RBI's on the season; breaking both records in the process.