23 K's for Friendship/Scio pitcher not enough in 13-inning Class D state finals loss
To be the state champion, you've got to beat the state champion.
Even with an all-time performance from Friendship/Scio star Nevaeh Ross, the junior pitcher's 23 strikeouts were not enough for the Golden Eagles to dethrone the reigning champs after Saturday's 13-inning marathon.
There were chances for a Friendship/Scio walk-off in extras, but Section IV's Deposit-Hancock ultimately overcame a late deficit to reclaim the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D championship with a 5-3 victory at the Moriches Athletic Complex in Center Moriches.
What it means
Friendship/Scio coach Deb Warner's three-time Section V champions ended the season 20-4. The Golden Eagles will graduate Logan Roberts, Kadence Donohue, Kiara Grover, Claire Calhoun, Katherine Lamberson and Aryana Hale, but their star players will return with hopes of clinching the program's first state championship.
Saturday was a rematch of the 2022 state semifinals. Deposit-Hancock won 7-2 on its way to winning the final. Coach Dan Briggs' Eagles have won three state titles since 2019.
Top players
Nevaeh Ross
The Friendship/Scio star continued to shine on the biggest stage. Ross' 23 strikeouts placed her in an eight-way tie for the fifth-most strikeouts in a single game in New York State history — the most since 2015. Ross also scattered six hits, and at the plate, she hit a two-run home run that gave Friendship/Scio a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Ross also doubled, worked a walk, and almost secured a walk-off run in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Ross' remarkable postseason includes a no-hitter in regionals, a two-hitter in the state semifinals, and now a state record book performance in the NYS final.
Kaitlyn Macumber
Deposit-Hancock's senior pitcher hit a solo homer in the 13th inning that gave the Eagles an insurance run. The ace also pitched a complete game victory.
More: Error-filled inning ends Webster Thomas' softball season in state semifinals
Top plays
Friendship/Scio
The Golden Eagles' best chance to win came in the bottom of the 10th. Tied at 3 with one down, Nevaeh Ross worked a walk, stole second base, then moved to third. Katherine Lamberson then advanced to second after walking. With two down during Kadence Donohue's at-bat, Ross fled from third in attempt to steal home, but was tagged out on a bang-bang play at the plate by catcher Haley Begeal.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, Nevaeh Ross hit a two-run homer for a Friendship/Scio lead. Avery Lamberson scored the other run on Ross' moon shot to take a 2-1 lead.
Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Kadence Donohue's RBI single scored Katherine Lamberson to knot the game at 3 and ultimately into extras.
Deposit-Hancock
Olivia Johnston, an eighth-grader, scored the winning run in the top of the 13th. Johnston's leadoff triple led to her scoring on a wild pitch, giving the Eagles a 4-3 advantage. Senior Kaitlyn Macumber followed with a solo homer for an insurance run.
Game balls
Kadence Donohue
Friendship/Scio's senior shortstop had two hits, an RBI single and worked two walks. She had a clutch two-out single in the bottom of the 13th inning to place a second runner on base.
Sarah Gross
Deposit-Hancock's sophomore had a hit and two RBIs that gave the Eagles leads of 1-0 and 3-2.
Kiara Grover
Friendship/Scio's senior registered a hit in the state final.
Morghyn Ross
Friendship/Scio's freshman catcher registered her only hit with a timely single in the bottom of the 13th.
State semifinals
Nevaeh Ross' two-hitter with 12 strikeouts lifted the Golden Eagles 6-0 over Section III's Poland (17-5) in Friday's Class D state semifinal. Ross added two hits, a double, an RBI, scored two runs, and was even intentionally walked in the fourth and sixth innings.
Grover collected a hit and two RBIs. Roberts had two hits. Morghyn Ross hit a double, an RBI and scored two runs.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 23 K's for Friendship/Scio pitcher not enough in 13-inning Class D state finals loss
