Hot starts, senior leaders and playoff pushes: Section V's top softball teams to beat
Irondequoit appears to be making the most of a promising season with an experienced senior class.
Seniors Marlayna Cartagena, Emma Rovet, Kayce Hennekey and Cayden Catalina lead the Eagles by example. Each player has years of experience. Cartagena has been a revered hitter since the seventh grade, but her improved pitching made her into an All-Greater Rochester selection, and may can help Irondequoit make a deep postseason run, especially after an 11-1 start.
"I really enjoy it," Scott Smith said about coaching the Eagles. "We've enjoyed having the seniors. Terrific leaders to the younger players. They follow their leadership and they pull for each other."
Irondequoit's batting order
Smith still would like to improve his batting order before the playoffs begin. Irondequoit already has a well-balanced lineup, led by leadoff hitter Ella Cooley, whose 19 hits are a team-high. Cartagena hit a homer against Greece Arcadia from the two spot. Abby Ras leads the team in RBIs and batting average as the No. 3 hitter. Abby DeMayo bats .400 as the cleanup hitter.
Rovet hits fifth while shortstop Kayla Basio bats sixth and is 3-1 in the circle. Third baseman Laney Flynn, Kaden Catalina, Casey Hanike and Rianna Montroy — who threw a Mercy girl out at first from right field — each are key to the Eagles' offensive success.
Many have played out of position as Smith tries to find the best defense to revolve around Cartagena in the circle. She played "terrific" during a 1-0 win over Honeoye Falls-Lima, when she struck out 11 with no walks while scattering four hits.
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Crowded class
Irondequoit sits above a crowded Section V Class A1. Webster Thomas, Bishop Kearney, Brockport, Canandaigua and Churchville-Chili are all capable of the crown. The Eagles are not looking too far ahead. They are first seeking a Monroe County Division III league title, and strong play against their Division IV crossover opponents, before making promises of a postseason stretch.
A different Irondequoit player contributes each game while the reserves remain positive until their number is called. That's what Smith likes most about this group. But can they remain the team to beat once the postseason arrives?
"We're pleased with our progress, but we're not a finished product," Smith said.
Top softball teams in Section V
Ranked by classification seeding points from May 4.
Class AA: Victor (8-2), 3.7.
Key players: Ashley Jedrich, Audrey Steinorth.
Key wins: Rush-Henrietta, Fairport.
4 questions for Victor junior: Don't let her height fool you. This infielder has pop
Class A1: Irondequoit (11-1), 4.583.
Key players: Marlayna Cartagena, Abby Ras.
Key wins: HFL, Mercy.
Class A2: Wayne (8-1), 3.899
Key players: Myia Eskander, Kayda Schmitt.
Key wins: Waterloo, Mynderse.
Class B1: Batavia (7-3), 3.7.
Key players: Hannah Carney, Julia Clark.
Key wins: Attica, Eastridge.
Class B2: Wellsville (13-1), 4.714.
Key players: Mackenzie Cowburn, Emma Dunaway.
Key wins: Webster Schroeder, DuBois (PA).
Class C1: Bloomfield (7-1), 4.25.
Key players: Calla McCombs, Ashlyn Wright.
Key wins: Dundee/Bradford, Alexander.
Class C2: Bolivar-Richburg (9-0), 4.556.
Key players: Malayna Ayers, McKinlee Harris.
Key wins: Bloomfield, Friendship/Scio.
Class D1: Keshequa (8-1), 5.333.
Key players: Libby Benner, Aurora Sabins.
Key wins: Caledonia-Mumford, Letchworth.
Class D2: Finney (10-4), 4.143.
Key players: Amelia Pilecki, Robyn Pilecki.
Key wins: Northstar Christian, Sodus.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V softball: Top-ranked teams ready to make playoff push
