Banes captures ‘A’ Division playoff crown

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Handling the pitching duties in today’s Medina Women’s Softball League ‘A’ Division playoff championship game were Amy Allis for Banes, at left, and Mackenzie Muck for White Birch. Banes claimed the title with a 14-2 win.

Completing a sweep, regular season champion Banes Machine Shop/Banes Plumbing defeated White Birch 14-2 this afternoon at Jr Wilson to claim the Medina Women’s Softball League ‘A’ Division playoff title.

Scoring in every inning but one, Banes jumped out to an early 3-0 lead by tallying once in the first on a triple by Jami Chatt and twice in the second on RBI singles by Lexi Neuman and Jess Carpenter.

The Banes advantage double to 6-0 in the third as Lindsay Chatt banged out a three-run home run following singles by Sue Seefeldt and Jami Chatt.

White Birch did cut the deficit to 6-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth on singles by Maddy Boyle, Alecia Hinkson, Cassie Boyce and Katie Albone but would get no closer.

Banes got those right back with interest by erupting for five runs in the home half of the fourth to break the contest open as Amy Allis had a two-run triple and Seefeldt and Lindsay Chatt RBI singles.

Three runs in the sixth, which included an RBI double by Kathy Allen and an RBI single by Neuman, then closed out the win.

Defensively shortstop Connie Heschke triggered a double play for Banes in the sixth inning.

Banes, which went 12-0 to claim the regular season ‘A’ title, defeated White Birch 17-3 and Tower Tattoo 5-4 to earn a berth in the playoff finals.

Banes scored the game winning run against Tower in the bottom of the seventh inning as Robin Blaun tripled and came home on a single by Donna Bane. Tower had tied the game at 4-4 by scoring three times in the top of the seventh.

White Birch advanced to the final by defeating Tower 16-4 and Jr Wilson 4-1.

The playoff title is the third in the last five years for Banes which has now claimed the regular season crown four years in a row.

In action at the plate are Lindsay Chatt of Banes, left, and Maddy Boyle of White Birch.

White Birch catcher Chelsie Silversmith readies to tag out Jami Chatt of Banes at home plate.