SARANAC — Monday's matchup at Saranac started with Beekmantown jumping out to an early lead, but the hometown Spartans showed their grit, rallying for a hard-fought 6-4 victory.
Gracie Baxter was the star in the circle for Saranac, striking out four batters and settling in after a shaky first inning. From the second frame onward, she held the Eagles to just one run and four hits, keeping her team within striking distance.
Beekmantown's offense wasn't quiet, though. Ashley Barnes and Lily Perry both connected for extra-base hits, each lacing a double to keep the pressure on. But Saranac's resilience paid off.
"We kept scratching away and were able to take advantage of a couple of mistakes along with some great baserunning to put runs together," Spartans head coach Sam Campbell said. "We are starting to put some of the little things together, which will help us during the rest of the year."
In other action around the region, Ti scored in all but one inning Monday, rolling to a 16-3 win over AuSable Valley. The Sentinels led 9-2 heading into the final inning before erupting for seven runs to put the game away. Gabby Yaw, Lillian Davis, Addison Munson, Avery Lender, and Belle Burroughs all doubled for Ti, while Renee Bruno and Julia Bailey provided the extra-base pop for AuSable Valley.
Over in North Creek, Tailyn Millington had a day to remember. Making her first varsity start in the circle, she scattered just three hits as Johnsburg/Minerva cruised to an 18-0 victory over Indian Lake/Long Lake. The Irish Jags wasted no time, plating eight runs in the first inning to support their rookie pitcher. Lucia Williams starred at the plate with a double and a triple, while Hannah Sharp added a triple of her own. The duo combined for seven RBIs, with Sharp driving in four. Reagan Morris chipped in with a double and four RBIs, and Launa Morehouse also doubled and knocked in a run.
Meanwhile, in Willsboro, Chazy used an eight-run second inning to blow the game wide open, cruising to a 16-1 victory. Stephanie Bechard was nearly untouchable from the circle and helped her own cause with a home run. Her battery mate, Aubrey Bechard, added a double. For the Wolves, Raegan Morgan tripled and Maddy Martin doubled.
"A very fast-paced and eventful game tonight versus Chazy. It was a back-to-back exchange of innings with both teams putting up a fight," Willsboro's Emery McQuade said. "The team has worked extremely hard, and I am just happy to see them on the field with smiles across their faces."