IAC SOFTBALL: TIOGA RALLY FALLS JUST SHORT IN 13-11 LOSS TO UNION SPRINGS (9 PHOTOS) (2024-04-22)

Valley Sports Report
UNION SPRINGS — Union Springs jumped out to an eight-run lead after two innings, then held on for a 13-11 over Tioga here Monday afternoon in IAC Small School softball action.

Tioga jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run home run by junior McKenzie Williams in the top of the first, but the Wolves answered with five runs in the home half, and five more in the second to take a 10-2 lead.

The Tigers scored an unearned run in the top of the third to close the gap to 10-3, then cut into the lead further in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run by sophomore RaeAnne Feeko to make it 10-5.

The Wolves answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth to push the lead back to 11-5.

Tioga trimmed the deficit to one run in the top of the sixth inning, scoring five runs — all with two outs.

Senior Emily Bidwell ignited the rally with a two-out single to center field, and freshman Jade Keaty followed with a slap single. Feeko then belted a two-run double to center field, Williams knocked in a run with a single to make it 11-8, and Luther then cut the lead to 11-10 with a home run to center field.

Consecutive base on balls to sophomores Lily Mezzatesta and Emily Shiner, and senior Megan Vance re-loaded the bases, but a strikeout ended the inning.

The Wolves answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 13-10 lead into the seventh inning.

Bidwell led off the Tioga seventh with a double, but the next two batters were retired. Williams closed the gap to 13-11 with an RBI double, but that was as close as the Tigers would get.

Williams had three hits, including a home run, a double, two runs scored, and four RBI, while Luther homered, doubled, and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Feeko homered and doubled, scored two runs, and had four RBI to pace Tioga’s 13-hit attack.

Bidwell doubled and singled, and scored two runs for the Tigers, while Keaty singled and scored two runs, Vance doubled, and Mezzatesta added a single.

Tioga, now 4-1, returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Moravia.

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IN PHOTO 1: Tioga’s RaeAnne Feeko. … PHOTOS BY AMANDA BAILEY.