Herkimer Softball sweeps Erie CC, advances to Region IIIB Championship Series

Herkimer, NY - The Herkimer Generals opened postseason play in impressive fashion on Sunday afternoon, sweeping the Erie CC Kats in the Region IIIB Semifinal Series by scores of 19-2 and 15-6. With the wins, the Generals, ranked # 3 in the latest NJCAA Division III National Poll, improve to 20-4 on the season and break a 4 game losing streak in the process.

Madison Inhat (Boca Raton, FL) was the big star in the Game 1 win. Inhat smacked 3 solo home runs while also earning the win in the circle for the Generals, pitching 5 innings and only giving up 2 first inning runs while striking out 3. Alexis Van Patten (Niskayuna, NY) went 4-4 at the plate with 4 RBI's while Kassandra Granobles (Miami, Florida), Alexis Garrison (Clifton Park, NY) and Melissa Daigneault (North Greenbush, NY) each collected 3 hits as part of 23 hits that the Generals offense produced in the opener. Herkimer scored at least 4 runs in each of the 4 innings they were up to the plate.

Game 2 saw Herkimer do all of their damage in two innings, scoring 7 runs in the 3rd frame and adding 8 more in the 4th for the 15-6 win. Kourtney Ketcham (Otisville, NY) cracked 3 doubles in her 4 plate appearances, collecting 3 RBI's. Daigneault had 2 more hits while Micheala Ponticello (Gloversville, NY) and Maiya Reinhart (Batavia, NY) each pitched in with 2 hits apiece as well. Hannah DeRock (Hunt, NY) gave up only one earned run and struck out 5 in her 5 innings for work to get the win.

The Generals, the #1 seed in the East for the Region III Playoffs, now advance to the Region IIIB Best of 3 Championship Series against Jefferson CC on Friday and Saturday May 14 and 15 at Herkimer College. The Generals and Cannoneers split a 4 game series in April. The winner advances to the NJCAA Division III World Series at Carrier Park in Syracuse, NY from May 27-29. Game 1 on Friday is set for 12 Noon with Game 2 at 2:00. If the teams split, they will play a winner take all Game 3 at Herkimer on Saturday, May 15.