The Schoharie Storm will challenge the Fonda-Fultonville Valley Hawks at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Schoharie is coming into the match on a four-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville hit Schoharie with a five-run fifth inning on Monday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Storm fell just short of the Wolves by a score of 9-7. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest loss the Storm have suffered since April 17, 2024.
Kayla Hayes was huge no matter where she played even without the win. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over 6.1 innings while giving up five earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Hayes was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one stolen base and one run.
In other batting news, Arabella Donzelli made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Another player making a difference was Carly Waters, who went 3-for-5 with two runs.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Fonda-Fultonville, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Monday. They were the clear victors by a 9-1 margin over Fort Plain on Monday. The Valley Hawks haven't had any issues with the Hilltoppers recently, as the game was their fourth consecutive win against them.
Like Schoharie, Fonda-Fultonville also got a great game from a two-way player: Grace Furnare. She struck out seven batters over four innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Furnare has been consistent recently: she hasn't tossed less than five strikeouts in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and one double. That's the most RBI she has posted since back in May of 2024.
In other batting news, Taylre Watterson and Harper Huckans did most of the damage at the plate: Watterson went a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, two doubles, and one run, while Huckans went 2-for-4 with one home run, three runs, and one stolen base. Those two doubles gave Watterson a new career-high. Ellana Dineen was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and two runs.
Fonda-Fultonville was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .455. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
Schoharie's defeat dropped their record down to 0-3. As for Fonda-Fultonville, the victory got them back to even at 2-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Schoharie has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Fonda-Fultonville struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Schoharie came up short against Fonda-Fultonville in their previous matchup back in May of 2024, falling 6-3. Can the Storm avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
