By SPENCER BATES
ALLEGANY — Staving off a late scare from Dunkirk, the Allegany-Limestone softball team was able to keep its immaculate record intact with a 6-5 win at home.
The Gators controlled the game the whole way, not once giving up the lead it had established in the very first frame. However, they were far from unchallenged, seeing multi-run leads disappear twice over the span of seven innings, including a four-run lead in the final frame as the Marauders attempted to rally.
But thanks to the experience coach Kaelyn Arnold has within her ranks this season, the adversity failed to rattle her, now 7-0, squad.
“This team’s very resilient, I’ll give them that, not much phases them,” Arnold said. “I know with (having had runners on) first and second and no outs there for a minute, I was nervous. But I could tell (our players) weren’t really that nervous, so that makes me feel more comfortable.”
The Gators jumped out to a quick start, recording three hits and seeing a run come across in the first inning. And as soon as their bats got hot, they stayed hot, connecting for at least one hit in all but one inning. A feat that Arnold noted is nothing to gloss over considering the level of competition in the CCAA Div. I and the fact that her team was keyed in on facing a different opponent the night before.
“We’re in a tough league, we see a variety of pitchers, we see a lot of fast and medium speed,” Arnold said. “So for (our players) to go from yesterday to today, it was good to see … that they can kind of figure that out and still hit the ball.”
And while Kailey Truman (1-for-2, 2 runs), Taylor Foster (2-for-3, RBI) and Abby Peck (2-for-3, run, RBI) may have been the standouts at the plate, it was not just those select few batters that found success for A-L. All but two of its players that got an at-bat against Dunkirk recorded at least one hit — and one of the two that didn’t still managed to get on base after drawing a walk. A level of consistency that Arnold is thrilled about.
“From top to bottom, I know all my girls can hit,” Arnold said. “We can all do different things … and everyone can hit the ball, so it’s a good mix up to have this year.”
Allegany-Limestone’s Abby Peck (7) swings a pitch. Peck finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for the Gators. (Spencer Bates)
But it was not just what A-L did on the bats that kept its nose in front of its opposition. A solid defensive effort was produced in the field that kept Dunkirk’s bats ineffective for the majority of the contest, save for a few blooped shots that fell in the gaps.
“Defensively today, our outfield was ready, they hustled after the balls,” Arnold said. “(Dunkirk) had those little gap shots that landed right in over the infield and it is what it is, that’s softball. We worked it out and figured it out. Yeah, good defense all around today.”
And as much as a reliable defense can make a pitcher’s life easier, Arnold agreed, Truman, who started in the circle and threw her second complete game in as many days, made life for the defense behind her easy at times. Truman struck out 11 batters, walked four and gave up just four hits, three of which came in the final inning.
“She’s really locking it in,” Arnold said. “She’s throwing strikes, just mixing it up and hitting her spots. That’s all we can ask for from her.”
Next up for Allegany-Limestone is an away fixture at Olean on April 25 at 5 p.m. Besides the Gators, the Huskies are currently the only other CCAA Div. I program that has a winning record in the league. A test that Arnold noted will truly show what her team is capable of this year.
“Friday is going to be a tough game,” Arnold said. “That’s going to be a critical game for us, and it’s going to show us where we really are for the season. I’m excited to play Olean and I hope we can show up to play them this year.”
AT ALLEGANY
Dunkirk 000 110 3 5 4 0
Allegany-Limestone 101 202 X 6 10 0
Dunk: Oonisi (3 SO, 2 BB) and Donato
A-L: K. Truman (11 SO, 4 BB) and P. Truman
