Andover rallies by Alfred-Almond
Down 6-2, Panthers put up 5 runs in the 5th
ANDOVER – Lessons were learned by the Lady Panthers of Andover after their first meeting with Alfred-Almond at the very start of the season over a month ago.
With their final meeting of the regular season being the series finale between the two Class D foes, it was a chance for Andover to keep the momentum rolling into the playoffs. After falling behind 6-2 after four innings to the defending sectional champs, the Panthers rallied back.
After holding Alfred-Almond scoreless in the fifth, Andover went to work, stringing together a five-run stanza that was led by a big two-run blast from the bat of Maddie Morris, as the Lady Panthers sprung ahead for good to rally by the Lady Eagles with a 7-6 win under the lights on Thursday.
"This was the game we wanted to get. This puts us on the board against a strong Alfred-Almond team. The game would have been different if we didn't make the solid plays in the field," Andover coach Al Barber said. "Offensively, we only struck out twice. That's a big positive to build on. Maddie and Tess (Spangenburg) had some big hits to power the offense. They find all the ways to get us on base."
Morris finished with three RBI in all in her two-hit evening at the plate, adding a double for the Lady Panthers, who finish the regular season with a record of 11-7. Tess Spangenburg added a double and drove in three runs herself to help the cause. In the circle, Leah Simon earned the win with one strikeout, scattering six hits against Alfred-Almond's high-powered attack.
Alfred-Almond (9-4) saw Olivia Ormsby lead the bats with a two-run single, while Amy Evingham chipped in with a double. The Eagles scored two runs in the second to tie it and four in the fourth to build a nice lead before Andover's rally stole the win away. Ali Fancher fanned two and walked one in her complete game eight-hitter for A-A.
The Lady Eagles will return home tonight, if weather permits, as they welcome in Hornell for another non-league contest.
Alfred-Almond 020 400 0 – 6 6 4 Andover 200 050 X – 7 8 2
A-A – Ali Fancher (LP) (CG, 2K, BB), and Renee Yezarski. AND – Leah Simon (WP) (K, 3BB), Maddie Morris (6) (BB), and Katie Calladine.