Error-filled inning ends Webster Thomas' softball season in state semifinals
Webster Thomas was four outs away from a state championship game appearance.
Those hopes and dreams came to an abrupt halt in the sixth inning of Friday morning's New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A semifinal. Coach Emily Castro's Titans led all game before giving Section II's Troy too many extra outs with five errors during a crushing 8-4 loss at the Moriches Athletic Complex in Center Moriches.
Maddie Throumoulos' impressive postseason performances extended into the NYSPHSAA final four, but wasn't enough to lengthen Webster Thomas' magical state tournament run to the championship game.
What it means for Webster Thomas
Webster Thomas' season ends at 18-8. The Titans captured the program's first Section V title since 2009 after suffering losses in the 2021 and 2022 finals.
RBI leader Anna Bello, Emma Bello and Kate McDonnell are the only seniors for a Webster Thomas program that returns promising underclassmen who helped the Titans make their first state final four appearance.
Player of the game
Maddy Throumoulos
The Webster Thomas junior was 2-for-3 with a solo home run and three RBIs. Her second inning homer gave the Titans a 1-0 lead, where the score remained most of the morning. The Monroe County Division II Player of the Year and Section V Class A tournament MVP also played outstanding at third base.
Top plays
Webster Thomas
Maddy Throumoulos picked a prime time to hit her first home run. NFHS network broadcasters mentioned how the third-year third baseman hadn't homered all season before her first at-bat in the second inning. Throumoulos then sent a solo shot over the left field fence to give the Titans a 1-0 lead they'd enjoy before the sixth inning debacle.
In the sixth, Maddie Hicks responded to being relieved in the top of the inning with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Throumoulos followed with a two-run single.
Ella Maloney made a pair of diving catches from left field. Center fielder Emma Bello showed great poise while catching key outs.
Troy
In the top of the sixth inning, the Flying Horses benefitted from five errors to overcome a 1-0 deficit by scoring all of their runs in the frame. Clean up hitter Katie Pryor struck out three times, but reached on an error in the sixth and later scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1.
More infield errors helped Troy take a comfortable lead. Gianna Barringer's two-run double gave Troy its first lead. Then DeCitise's three-run shot gave the Flying Horses a seven-run advantage.
Game balls
Olivia Constantino
Webster Thomas' freshman second baseman registered a hit in the first inning and made key outs at second base.
Olivia DeCitise
Troy's senior pitcher was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the sixth inning that extended the Flying Horses' lead to seven runs. The UMass-Lowell commit and left-handed pitcher also struck out five in the circle.
Maddie Hicks
Webster Thomas' junior pitcher had an RBI single in the sixth inning. Hicks also struck out six while pitching 6.2 innings.
Ella Maloney
The Webster Thomas sophomore was a star in left field, robbing hitters with diving catches for clutch outs.
Emma Maloney
The Webster Thomas sophomore singled and scored a run.
Ruby Marrapese
Webster Thomas' sophomore outfielder worked a walk and scored a run.
What's next
Troy improved to 22-4 and will advance to Saturday's NYSPHSAA Class A final. Coach Sean Geisel's Flying Horses lost in the state semifinals in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NYSPHSAA softball: Webster Thomas' season ends in state semifinals
