Walk-off hit lifts Rush-Henrietta to its first-ever title Section V softball title

The underdog role seems to be working for Rush-Henrietta.

The top-seeded Royal Comets overcame a four-run deficit to defeat No. 3 Victor 6-5 in nine innings during Saturday's Section V Class AA final at Webster Schroeder. Elizabeth Gleghorn's walk-off did the trick in extras.

Coach Lynn Rotola's Royal Comets (19-4) trailed 4-0 and 5-2 before plating three runs in the bottom of the seventh. They almost won the game in the seventh but a bang-bang play at the plate was called out.

What it means

Rush-Henrietta captured the program's first-ever section title during its Section V finals debut. The Royal Comets wil advance to the region final next weekend.

Victor coach Gina Potenza's Blue Devils ended the season 16-6.

Player of the Game

Kadyn Hartel

Just a sophomore, the Rush-Henrietta pitcher helped the Royal Comets' comeback by allowing just one run across the final five innings and scattered one hit over the last three frames. Hartel had four strikeouts in the win. At the plate, Hartel had a hit and worked two walks.

During the postgame, Hartel and her teammates celebrated with their unofficial mascot Sticky — a stick with an eyeball.

"We had a great mental mindset at the end," Hartel said. "We just kept fighting until the end. And Sticky helped us too."

Play of the game

Gleghorn's walk-off, of course.

In the bottom of the ninth, Rush-Henrietta's sophomore catcher faced a full count with one out when she sent a line drive up the middle. Gleghorn's hit sent the kept rolling into the right centerfield fence. Sheffer had plenty of time to score from first base and easily beat the relay back home.

"I just wanted to get a base hit, at least," Gleghorn said. "I wanted to move Olivia, and it worked out for me."

Rush-Henrietta sophomore Kate Militello was the first to hug Sheffer after the title-clinching run.

"I didn't think I was running that fast but apparently I was zooming through the bases," Sheffer said.

Game balls

McKenna Hobson

Victor's catcher was 3-4 at the plate before exiting the game with an injury. Hobson tagged a runner to keep the game tied at 5 in the bottom of the seventh, but left the game with an apparent arm injury suffered from the bang-bang play at the plate.

Elizabeth Rinella

Rush-Henrietta's left-handed leadoff hitter had two hits and two runs.

Kendra Santillo

Victor's fire baseman hit a two-run double that gave the Blue Devils a 4-0 fourth inning advantage. Santillo finished with two hits and three RBIs.

Olivia Steinorth

Victor's pitcher threw 14 strikeouts and kept the Comets scoreless through the first four innings.

What's next

Rush-Henrietta will advance to the NYSPHSAA Far West Regionals. The Royal Comets will play the Section VI winner at 11 a.m. Saturday at Webster Schroeder.

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