Published: April 17, 2008 12:47 pm         

Softball hangs on to win

Staff Report

LITTLE FALLS — The Cooperstown softball team finally won a close one, but this one was almost too close for comfort.

Leading Little Falls 3-0 heading to the bottom of the seventh inning last Thursday, the Mounties scored twice and had the tying run on third with two outs before Anna Sams recorded her eighth strikeout of the game to end the rally and the game.

Sams, a freshman, picked up her second win of the season for 2-2 Cooperstown, allowing five hits and walking three in the complete game performance. In 24 innings this season, Sams has 37 strikeouts and a miniscule .875 earned run average.

``She’s been pitching very well and our defense has been playing very well behind her,’’ said CCS head coach Dave Bliss.

In Thursday’s game, CCS centerfielder Marie DiLorenzo made what Bliss described as the play of the young season, sprinting back to make an over-the-shoulder catch with two on and two out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sophomore Stephanie Hascup led the offensive attack with a 4- for-4 performance at the plate, including a double. Hascup, the starting third baseman, is hitting .614 in the first four games but will likely be done for the season after foot surgery Tuesday.

``She’s been a leader on and off the field and we’ll miss her,’’ Bliss said.

Cooperstown hosts Milford Tuesday in a non-league contest, and begins Center State Conference play Wednesday at home against Sauquoit.

``We haven’t been scoring many runs, but hopefully as the weather warms up so will our bats,’’ Bliss said.