A tale of two streaks: Irondequoit softball turns it around after early season struggles

Irondequoit's team chemistry was challenged five games into the season.

Softball coach Scott Smith said that was one of a multitude of reasons for his Eagles 0-5 start.

That's a tough thing to admit.

A schedule full of Section V title contenders and giving teams extra outs also challenged an Irondequoit team that witnessed a 9-0 start last spring.

Captains Emma Rovet, senior Madison Colbey — one of the best leaders Scott says he has coached — and returning All-Greater Rochester pitcher Marlayna Cartagena, were challenged to unite the team and demand more attention to defense. Since their teammates accepted the challenge, Irondequoit (5-5) has won five straight.

"For the girls to stick together, work through the early season challenges we had, to be 5-5 at this point, it's great to have bounced back like that," Smith said.

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Pitching strikes

Pitching was an issue for Irondequoit early on.

Cartagena and Kailey Besio have been getting healthy and throwing more strikes lately, coinciding with the Eagles' winning streak.

Cartagena, a junior who's been on varsity since the seventh grade, has been battling knee and back injuries. She has battled an ACL injury in the past, and currently does special stretches and strength training that has kept her from missing any games this spring.

"The kid loves the game. She's been battling. I'm never going to ask a kid to do what she can't do," Smith said.

With Cartagena's invaluable mental toughness and experience and Besio's off-speed pitches, the pitching duo makes a good match.

"They're a nice combination to have," Smith said.

Extra outs

The losing skid was simple: Irondequoit was playing poor defense.

The Eagles averaged 5.1 errors in the 0-5 start, allowing 50 runs to a Monroe County murderers' row: Webster Schroeder, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Webster Thomas, Fairport and Brighton — the 5-3 HFL setback was deflating, Irondequoit led 3-2 before the reigning Section V Class A2 champion made timely hits in the comeback.

"That's a game I wish I could have back," Smith said.

Irondequoit stuck together and trusted its coaching. After promising practices outside, Smith noticed his team improving. It came to fruition April 11 when the Eagles beat Eastridge 18-1.

Freshman centerfielder Ella Cooley, freshman first baseman Abby Ras and sophomore outfielder/catcher Norah DeMayo combined for 12 RBIs in Irondequoit's first win of the season.

Irondequoit had a tall hill to climb on its way to .500., earning wins over Eastridge, Churchville-Chili, LeRoy and two triumphs over Mercy.

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The Eagles' 2-1 win over Churchville-Chili was played over two days. Irondequoit led 1-0 before inclement weather suspended the game until the following day. Cartagena struck out 12 and hit a double.

Rovet, a junior cleanup hitter and catcher, had a double and an RBI in the Eagles' fourth straight victory — a 3-1 win over Mercy. For their fifth straight win, Ras had two doubles, and Besio struck out eight batters, during a 10-5 win over LeRoy.

Smith happily gave the girls Friday off to enjoy the warm weather.

"The good thing about our team is that I do think they really do like spending time with each other," Smith said. "Our motto is 'Family.' We were going to find out what kind of family we were."

Irondequoit has a tough week ahead with three straight games against Rush-Henrietta, Bishop Kearney and Gates Chili starting Monday.

As Irondequoit's defense comes along, Smith hopes his team can hit better down the stretch, in order to keep up with other Class A1 teams come playoff time.

"We have to keep striving to get better, and put ourselves in a position when sectionals come, we have the confidence to compete with anyone we play," Smith said.

Spring training

Section V made the most of the 2022 season with spring training trips.

Many squads traveled out of state for the first time since 2019. COVID-19 canceled the 2020 spring season, and there were still restrictions throughout the 2021 scholastic sports calendar.

Webster Schroeder (7-2) played five games in Orlando, Florida, playing teams from California, New Jersey and Connecticut. Carley Casteline, Molly Broccolo and Mikayla Bengsch each homered.

Fairport (6-2) was in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, playing teams from Ohio, Maine and Kentucky. Cecelia Byrnes drove in the game-winning run in a thrilling 4-3 win over Ohio's Notre Dame Cathedral Latin in eight innings. Juliana Haus tripled.

Brighton (8-4) and Penfield (3-6) each played a handful of games down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Bloomfield wins tourney

Ashlyn Wright was dealing during the Midlakes Softball Tournament.

The Bloomfield freshman ace was as good as advertised across Saturday's four-team tourney. In wins over Alexander and Midlakes, Wright surrendered three hits while striking out 29 batters.

Bloomfield (5-0) actually trailed Midlakes 2-0 in the tournament championship game, but a six-run sixth inning helped the Bombers win 11-2.

Wright worked a 2-hitter with 17 strikeouts in the final. Sofie Kachmaryk drove in two runs on three hits. Morganne Miles doubled for Midlakes (3-2).

During the semifinal shutout, Wright threw a 1-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Calla McCombs had three hits. Emily Pietrzykowski registered Alexander's lone hit.

Bloomfield coach Mark Jacobs' Bombers, atop the early Finger Lakes West race with Dundee/Bradford, have a plus-45 run differential through five games.

Wright and the Bombers are coming off of a Section V Class C1 finals appearance in 2021.

Email Marquel Slaughter at mslaughter1@gannett.com and follow his Twitter @MarquelSports. Sign up for our high school sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V softball: Irondequoit overcomes 0-5 start