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Wellsville's season ends on walk-off to Marlboro in NY state softball semifinals

Marquel Slaughter, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read

Wellsville was oh so close to the state championship game.

The three-time Section V champion Wellsville Lions witnessed a two-run lead slip late in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B semifinals, falling to Section IX's Marlboro 3-2 in crushing walk-off fashion Friday afternoon at the Moriches Athletic Complex in Center Moriches.

Wellsville's Makenna Dunbar added another postseason home run to her resume, but the Lions struggled to score and make defensive stops across the final innings.

Wellsville softball players console each other after falling to Marlboro in the New York State Softball Championship semifinal on June 9, 2023.
Wellsville softball players console each other after falling to Marlboro in the New York State Softball Championship semifinal on June 9, 2023.

More: Section V softball scores for the 2023 season

What it means for Wellsville

Wellsville's season ended 21-2 across a challenging independent schedule that prepared the Lions for the postseason stretch. Coach Matt Burke's Lions played in their first state semifinal since 2000.

Most of Wellsville's roster returns in 2024 as Emma Dunaway is the team's only senior.

Wellsville's Makenna Dunbar and Marissa Ordway helped the Lions advance to the NYSPHSAA final four.
Wellsville's Makenna Dunbar and Marissa Ordway helped the Lions advance to the NYSPHSAA final four.

Player of the game

Makenna Dunbar

Wellsville's sophomore left fielder hit a home run that sailed way beyond the Moriches Athletic Complex fence. She finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate. It was her third home run in two games. She hit a pair in the region final.

Top plays

Wellsville

Makenna Dunbar's solo home run came in the second inning of Friday's state semifinal. Dunbar gleefully spread her arms out like wings and soared into a swarm of teammates at home plate, giving Wellsville a 1-0 lead.

In the third, Sawyer Burke's RBI drove in Natalie Adams for a 2-0 Lions advantage.

Wellsville's Lindsay Stuck at bat during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal versus Marlboro on June 9, 2023.
Wellsville's Lindsay Stuck at bat during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal versus Marlboro on June 9, 2023.

Marlboro

Kalista Birkenstock scored the Iron Dukes' game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Marlboro's junior hit a leadoff single then stole second base. Lily Sullivan put the ball in play to move Birkenstock to third, but Wellsville's Makenzie Cowburn's errant throw to first gave Birkenstock all the time she needed to run home and advance to Saturday's final.

In the sixth, Marlboro trailed 2-1 with the bases loaded. That's when Kaitlyn Gordon placed a perfect bunt in front of the plate to score Elizabeth Leduc to tie the game at 2.

Game balls

Natalie Adams

The Wellsville infielder collected two hits, scored a run and turned an unassisted double play.

Marlboro's Kalista Birkenstock makes it to first base passed Wellsville's Marissa Ordway during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal on June 9, 2023.
Marlboro's Kalista Birkenstock makes it to first base passed Wellsville's Marissa Ordway during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal on June 9, 2023.

Kalista Birkenstock

The Marlboro junior scored the walk-off run to advance to the state title game. She also tripled and finished 2-for-3 with a walk.

Sawyer Burke

The Wellsville junior used her speed to catch a tough out in center field during the first inning. Burke also drove in a run.

Wellsville's Makenzie Cowburn pitches during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal versus Marlboro on June 9, 2023.
Wellsville's Makenzie Cowburn pitches during the New York State Softball Championship semifinal versus Marlboro on June 9, 2023.

Makenzie Cowburn

Wellsville's junior pitcher struck out 10 and scattered seven hits in the circle.

Leah Gunsett

Marlboro's junior pitcher hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth. In the circle, Gunsett struck out five and scattered five hits.

Averee Palmatier

Wellsville's sophomore right fielder doubled and ended the day with two hits.

Three-time Section V champion Wellsville is headed to the state final four after defeating Section VI's Iroquois 15-5 in the NYSPHSAA Class B Far West Regionals on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Webster Schroeder.
Three-time Section V champion Wellsville is headed to the state final four after defeating Section VI's Iroquois 15-5 in the NYSPHSAA Class B Far West Regionals on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Webster Schroeder.

What's next

Marlboro coach Ray Ledue's three-time Section IX champion Iron Dukes (19-2) will play in the state championship game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday against either Section II's Ichabod Crane or Section IV's Windsor. Marlboro lost in the 2022 state semifinals.

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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wellsville's loses on walk-off to Marlboro in state softball semifinals