Softball, Baseball Seasons Start

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown softball has some big shoes to fill after stars Dani Seamon, Jeana Geertgens and Savannah Kirkby graduated last year. Still, the team is off to a good start. The Hawkeyes rolled past Sidney 8-5 in their opener on Tuesday, March 26, led by junior Emmy Lippitt’s first win as starting pitcher. Sophomore Katie Crippen batted in four runs; Lippitt put away another two RBI.

Cooperstown struggled in their home opener and ultimately lost 7-0 to Notre Dame on Tuesday, April 9. Lippitt made four strikeouts. Sophomore Kayleigh Butler hit a double.

The Hawkeyes had a better time the next night, pushing past Sauquoit Valley 11-4. Butler went 4-for-5, scored two runs, drove in another and stole three bases. Lippitt earned another win, batted in a run and scored twice. Crippen scored three runs and stole four bases. Senior Tori France went 3-for-5 with a run, an RBI and two more steals.

On the boys’ side, Cooperstown baseball started its season with an extra-innings 2-1 victory over Sauquoit Valley on Wednesday, April 10.

Senior Kalen Dempsey struck out nine batters over seven grueling innings of a pitchers’ duel. Junior Aaron Katz got the win after giving up one run and striking out five in two innings of relief. Dempsey scored in the top of the eighth inning and batted in senior Frank Panzarella for the win in the ninth.