Holley girls edge past rival Kendall

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Tia Hoffarth slides into second base ahead of a tag by Kendall’s Brittney Marks during the Lady Hawks win over the host Lady Eagles this afternoon.

In a tight pitchers dual, Holley edged past host rival Kendall 2-1 this afternoon in a Genesee Region League softball game.

Maddie Marsh picked up the win in the circle for Holley hurling a two hitter with nine strikeouts.

Maddie Marsh delivers a pitch for Holley.

The Lady Hawks defense was anchored by key plays by shortstop Halee Passarell, second baseman Rachel Howard and catcher Jocelyn Chilton.

Kendall pitcher Sara Mattle scattered 8 hits and struck out 4.

Singles by Sarah Klatt, Passarell and Marsh helped set up an unearned run for Holley in the first inning. An error and a wild pitch later combined to plate what proved to be the game winner in the fourth inning for the Lady Hawks.

Kendall scored on an error in the fourth and still had the bases loaded but Marsh bore down to get out of the jam by registering two clutch strikeouts.

The Lady Eagles later got two runners aboard in the sixth inning on a single by Madison Shonitsky and an error but couldn’t capitalize as the Lady Hawks got out of trouble on an inning ending infield out.

Marsh then closed out the Holley victory by retiring Kendall in order in the seventh on two groundouts to Passarell and one back to her in the circle.

Passarell had 3 hits on the day and Marsh 2.

Kendall’s Skylar Ammerman slides into third base as Holley’s Jade Hoffarth tries to make the tag.