It took all three games of the best of 3 series, but Corning CC was able to capture their first Region III Crown in 16 years as they defeat Mohawk Valley CC to advance the the NJCAA D3 College World Series. The Red Barons dropped game one, their first loss of the season, 3-2 on Friday but bounced back to win the nightcap 9-0 to force a decisive game three on Saturday. Corning won game three 19-2 to punch their ticket.
In game one, Mohawk jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on two hits and a walk. Corning loaded bases in the fourth and fifth innings but were unable to cross the plate. In the top of the sixth, the Hawks added two big insurance runs on three hits and a Corning infield miscue. The Red Barons made things exciting in the bottom of the seventh as the first two Corning batters reached base and then Jill Murray blasted a shot off the centerfield fence to plate two runs. Unfortunately, that is as close as Corning could get and they dropped their first game of the season with the 3-2 loss. Grace Vondracek went 2 for 3 and Murray had CCC's only two RBI's. Emily McCreery (16-1) threw well, allowed six hits in seven innings and two earned runs.
In game two with their season on the line, the Corning offense came to life. In the top of the first inning, the Red Barons plated four runs. Vondracek and Murray singled, Lexi Wood singled driving in Vondracek, Hailey Burdick singled in Murray and Christina Willsey smacked a gapper to plate Wood and Burdick. In the fourth, Corning would strike again by crossing the plate five more times, hitting three home runs in seven at-bats. Willsey led off with a bomb to deep center, followed by Murray with a two-run blast and then two batters later, H. Burdick would poke the ball over the fence for two RBI's. Murray was 3 for 3, Burdick 2 for 2, Willsey 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's, Wood 2 for 3 and Vondracek 2 for 3. Jayden Hill was outstanding in the circle as she tossed a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and one walk. With the 9-0 win, Corning forced a decisive game three on Saturday.
Game three of the series saw Corning pick up where they left off Friday. The Red Barons jumped out to a four run lead after one full inning and never looked back. Wood singeld in Vondracek and with two runners on, Burdick hit her second homerun of the series. Corning added four more runs in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 8-run lead. Mohawk finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth but Corning answered with four more in the bottom half of the frame to extend their lead to 12-1. The Hawks scored an unearned run in the fifth and then Corning tacked on another 7 runs between the fifth and sixth innings. Murray was 3 for 3 with 5 RBI's, Vondracek 4 for 5 with 3 RBI's, H. Burdick 3 for 4 with 5 RBI's, Wood 3 for 5 with 4 RBI's, Kiarah Grover 3 for 5 and Jodie Burdick 2 for 3. Hill (17-0) was the winner allowing three hits, striking out eight and giving up one earned run.
Corning improved to 34-1 on the season and earned a berth in the NJCAA D3 College World Series, May 27, 28 and 29 at Carrier Park in Dewitt, New York. Tournament seeding and brackets will be released on Monday, May 24.