By Keith Harrington

Winning a championship is sweet! Doing it by avenging a loss from earlier in the season is even sweeter. The Salem softball team did just that on Thursday, claiming the Section II Class D crown for the second consecutive year by rolling past Fort Ann 10-3 at Moreau Rec. The loss gives the Generals a little revenge after falling to the Cardinals 5-4 during the regular season.

Salem connected on 15 hits and rode the usual stellar pitching effort of Sophia Keays to the championship win.

The contest was tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the second but the Generals exploded for six runs in the frame. The biggest blow was a two-run triple from Keyes that plated Riley Gallagher and Bella Eastman to fashion a 7-1 advantage.

Salem took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Keays.

Fort Ann tied the game in the top of the second when Maddie Freebern scored on a bunt by Brooke Van Ness.

The Cardinals scored twice in the third to inch closer, but the Generals responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to maintain the comfortable margin.

Keays finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs for Salem. She also earned the win in the circle with 12 strikeouts, scattering six hits.

Gallagher, Eastman, Renee Cary, and Sierra Phillips recorded multiple hits for Salem.

Freebern and Baylee Wright each contributed two hits for Fort Ann.

Emma Blondin pitched six innings and struck out five for the Cardinals.

Salem is now 15-4 and will face the Section VII champions Wednesday in Plattsburgh.

Fort Ann ends the season 12-4.