Webster Schroeder softball wins regionals, advances to NYS final four

GRAND ISLAND — The regional championship plaque wasn't the only thing Webster Schroeder paraded around the illustrious H. David Myers Athletic Complex.

Section V's Warriors had a stereo too, blasting DJ Khaled's "All I Do is Win" and a techno remix of Queen's "We are the Champions" through the facility after winning their Far West Regional game Saturday afternoon.

Webster Schroeder made quick work of Section VI's Williamsville South, beating the Billies 13-1 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A Far West Regionals, which doubles as the state quarterfinals for the Section V and Section VI representatives.

Extra-base hits by Maddy Spakoski and Mikayla Bengsch were the highlights of a six-run seventh inning.

"Because we didn't have the chance to go any further last year, we really wanted to work hard and get there this year," said pitcher Molly Broccolo, MVP of Section V's Class A1 tournament.

In Class B, after winning back-to-back Section V titles, Makenzie Cowburn's Wellsville Lions fell short of a final four berth after a 5-0 loss to Depew.

Cecelia Byrne and her Section V Class AA champion Fairport Red Raiders' fell to Lancaster 6-0.

What it means

Webster Schroeder (20-5) is now two wins away from a state title.

For the first time during coach Meaghan Keil's 19 years with the program, the Warriors will advance to the NYSPHSAA semifinals.

Schroeder will take a 12-game winning streak into the next weekend's NYSPHSAA Softball Championship tournament. The Warriors are two-time Section V champions, winning Class AA in 2021.

Coach Matt Burke's Wellville team's season ends as region finalists with a 20-4 record. It was the program's first trip to regionals since 1998, the last of coach Frank Cady five straight section titles.

"It's been a magical season," Burke said. "It's a shame it has to end today. We have such great young ladies on this team. You never want to end a season with a loss, but unfortunately most teams in high school sports do.

Fairport's season is over at 17-6 after capturing their first title Section V Class AA title since 2012.

Section V's Class C champion Avon and Class D representative Friendship/Scio won their regional games Friday. They'll join Webster Schroeder in Long Island for the state semifinals.

Key plays

Maddy Spakoski left the postgame celebrations to grab lunch.

After all, Spakoski must have been hungry after going 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

Schroeder entered the seventh up 7-1 before pushing six across for insurance. Spakoski, a senior right fielder, registered a two-run triple to plate Schroeder's final two runs.

"I was just trying to get as many runs as possible," Spakoski said. "Coach said, 'Do your thing and stay hot.' I just took deep breathes and hit the ball."

Sam Schoenhardt was 3-for-4 with a pair of two-run singles. In the seventh, she singled on base and scored on Bengsch's three-run double. Schoenhardt also made a few unassisted outs at first base. Haley Kucewicz added an RBI-single in the seventh.

"We knew we had to start (hitting) early. Our energy was up all the time. We just needed timely hitting," said Schoenhardt, affectionately called "Skillet" by her teammates.

Molly Broccolo was hard to hit. The senior scattered four hits — two through the first six innings — and struck out five. She threw three strikeouts in the fourth. Shortstop Krislyn Clement, Bengsch at second and Kucewicz in center field also made plays to keep the Billies from threatening runs.

Gia Gangi's sacrifice fly in the first was Williamsville South's lone run. Leadoff hitter MJ Martin scored the run after singling on base. Gangi took the pitching loss with four strikeouts for coach Julia Murphy's Billies (15-7).

"The balls are magnetic to Skillet," Broccolo said about Schoenhardt. "She was making every catch. We had outfielders doing their jobs and the infield getting every grounder."

Keil said her coaching staff scouted Williamsville South Thursday. They knew Gangi threw strong pitches to the outside corner and liked to change speeds.

"We were able to prepare for it for two days. We knew they were going to play solid defense and some small ball, and we were ready," Keil said.

In Class B, Depew scored four runs early and never looked back. Cowburn struck out six in the loss. Wellsville’s Emma Dunaway, Natalie Adams and Makenna Dunbar each collected a hit.

The Lions had two runners on base in the seventh, and Sawyer Burke may have drove in a run on a grounder, but Depew picked up the routine out to seal the shutout. Depew pitcher Jordan Kanick struck out five and had two hits the plate.

"It's bittersweet because I love the team that we have," Burke said. "I'm so proud of these young ladies. But at the same time you don't want it to end. We win as a team and lose as a team. It's been an excellent, excellent season for Wellsville softball, and I am so proud of all these young ladies."

Fairport failed to record a hit until the seventh inning of its Class AA clash with Lancaster (18-2).

Sophomore Millie Reed hit a pinch-hit single into right field that ended a no-hit bid by Lancaster pitcher and Florida State-commit Madi Balk. Reed loaded the bases after Julianna Catalano and Amanda Linnenbrink worked walks.

Cecelia Byrne relieved Linnenbrink in the third, but the Legends were still able to score four runs in the frame. Morgan Kennedy made tough outs at shortstop. She caught a line drive in the sixth that saved a couple runs.

What's next

The NYSPHSAA softball championship tournament is Saturday, June 11, at the Moriches Sports Complex on Long Island.

In Class A, Webster Schroeder will play Section VIII's Mepham at 11:15 a.m. The final is at 3:45 p.m.

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: Webster Schroeder softball wins regionals, advances to state final four