By Keith Harrington
It has been an incredible ride for the Salem softball team. An Adirondack League crown, a regional title, and a second straight trip to the state final four. The Generals advanced one step further than a year ago, but after a dominating semifinal victory ran into a juggernaut in the Class D state championship game, falling to Deposit-Hancock 13-0 Saturday in Brookhaven, Long Island.
It was the seventh championship game win for Deposit-Hancock, either as individual schools or since merging.
The difference in the contest was junior pitcher Addison Makowski. Makowski recorded 21 strikeouts, the maximum a pitcher can have in a seven-inning game in spinning a two-hit shutout.
The was tied 0-0 after the first inning, but Deposit-Hancock began to roll in the second. The Eagles plated three runs in the frame and five more in the third. It turned out to be more than they needed with Makowksi in the circle.
Deposit-Hancock added two runs in the fifth and three in the seventh to complete the scoring.
Hannah Gongola and Renee Cary had the two hits for the Generals.
Salem ends the season 17-5.
Deposit-Hancock finishes 22-2.
Friday Salem enjoyed a dominating performance of their own, rolling past Chateaugay 14-1 in the state Class D semifinals. The Bulldogs entered the game unbeaten on the season but were no match for the Generals.
Sophia Keayes fired a no-hitter for the Generals, and the offense scored early and often as the Generals punched their ticket to the state title game.
Salem exploded for 17 hits in the contest. The Generals scored six runs in the second and two in the in the third to grab an 8-0 lead.
Salem tacked on a run in the fourth and closed out the five-inning win with five runs in the fifth.
Renee Cary was 3 for 3 at the plate for the Generals. Riley Gallagher also contributed three hits.
Bella Eastman, Hannah Gongola, Sierra Phillips, Meredith Barrett, and Jenna McCauliffe each added two hits. Eastman, Cary, Phillips, and Gallagher all doubled.
Salem headed into the state title tilt with a 17-4 mark.
Chateaugay ends the season 18-1.
