ROARING BACK TO NYC: Behind Cowburn’s 1-hit twirl, Adams’ boomstick, Lady Lions go back-to-back as Class B Far West champs, hand Section VI’s Fredonia 1st loss with 5-0 shutout at Schroeder

[PHOTOS PROVIDED]

WEBSTER — It was a meeting that was supposed to happen earlier this year at Allegany-Limestone. But because of Mother Nature’s wrath, one of the largest clashes that the Lady Lions of Wellsville had prepared to encounter, was now off the table completely.

But with the way their campaign was taking shape, there was always the possibility of coming face-to-face with the Fredonia Lady Hillbillies again later on, in the deepest portion of the season. With both teams rattling off wins one by one, and a Sectional championship for the trophy showcase following it, a realignment of that heavily-anticipated matchup began to become clearer and clearer.

On Saturday, it became a reality. Wellsville and undefeated Fredonia, on the confines of Webster Schroeder. A chance for Long Island hanging in the balance.

That enough for you?

With the sun beaming down from the sky and Prom waiting for them back home at the end of the day, the four-peat Class B2 champions were looking to start their Saturday morning off right. What better way to do that, than make your presence felt immediately?

Natalie Adams’ bat did just the trick.

Out of the five runs that the Lady Lions were able to post up against the undefeated Lady Hillbillies, the Wellsville junior accounted for three of them in both of their innings of scoring to set the tone on offense. As for the defense, that effort was spearheaded by their number one in the circle, Makenzie Cowburn, who added yet another highlight performance to her collection by holding Fredonia to just one hit across a complete game shutout.

Both elements, propelling Wellsville to a second straight Far West Regional title, as they head back to New York City next week following a 5-0 blank of their Section VI counterparts.

“We came right out and we made an impact in the first inning. Nat and Lindsay (Stuck) got us started with their big hits, and when we got the lead with Makenzie pitching, we built a great deal of confidence,” said Lady Lions co-coach Shelley Chaffee. “We were in command from that point on. All year long, Makenzie was in control of the batters. She did a nice job of adjusting her pitches according to what the strike-zone is. The girls, when they were up to bat, were making some good swings and making adjustments when they needed to as well. We had a few foul balls, so we made their pitcher, who is a D-I commit to Bonaventure, throw a bit more.”

Wellsville (21-1) was right on the money during their opening at-bats, nearly going through their entire lineup in one full go against the Lady Hillbillies to produce an early 3-0 lead. Helping the cause early was Lindsay Stuck, who took advantage of the opportunity with a clutch two-out RBI double to break the ice. Following a walk to Cowburn, Natalie Adams then delivered even more damage by bringing both home on the first of two doubles of her own to finish the scoring.

After the two teams went 1-2-3 of the offenses across the second inning, and then a fanning of the Fredonia side from Cowburn in the third, the Lady Lions fed off the massive momentum burst in the bottom half to construct more to their lead, scoring a run on an error and then Adams’ second double of the game immediately after to finish off the scoring.

From that point on, the rest of the game rested solely on Cowburn’s shoulders from within the circle, as she kept Fredonia at a standstill. The Lady Hillbillies, in the midst of it all, would provide one final opportunity to jump in the game in the top of the sixth inning. With two runners occupying first and second, they did not proceed any further, as the senior went back-to-back with her arm to leave them both on, ceasing all offensive production from the Section VI champions in the process.

That grand finish would see the Lady Lions officially punch their return ticket to where their journey left off last year — Long Island, as Wellsville went 1-2-3 with Fredonia in the top of the seventh to finish the victory.

The Section V four-peats finished with five runs on eight total hits, with Lindsay Stuck and her 3-for-3 outing at the plate leading the way. Natalie Adams followed with her two doubles and three RBI — a performance that was also rewarded with a Player of the Game nod from the Dunkirk-based WDOE radio station, who was on hand live-broadcasting the game through the airwaves. Adding hits were Makenna Dunbar and Teegan Burke, each recording one.

In the circle, Cowburn’s divine season continues forth with another brilliant one-hitter in the books, striking out 12 Fredonia batters and walking just one.

Coming up next Friday, the Lady Lions will make their return to the field down in Long Island for their first battle in Class B State Final Four play, as they prepare to take on Section III’s Marcellus in a 6 p.m. first pitch on Field 4 at the Martha Avenue Recreational Park.

The winner will advance into the State Finals at 1:30 p.m. the following day to take on either Section I’s Albertus Magnus or Section II’s Schuylerville.

One thing is for certain: The Lady Lions know what exactly is set and in clear view of their sightline, according to Chaffee.

”The girls, all the way through Sectionals, appear confident,” she said. “They know what the end goal is, and they’ve accomplished everything they’ve set out to do so far. We do know that we face Marcellus when we get down there next week. The girls are anxious to get back out on the field and hopefully redeem themselves from last year’s loss in the Semifinals.”

Fredonia 000 000 0 – 0 1 1

Wellsville 302 000 X – 5 8 0

FRED – Jordan Lucas (LP) (CG, 11K, 3BB) and Callie Draggett.

WLSV – Makenzie Cowburn (CG, 12K, BB) and Brazen Beckwith.