Published: May 08, 2008 11:31 pm            

HS SOFTBALL: Falcons fly by Kenmore East

TOWN OF TONAWANDA — It was a reminder of just how good the Falcons can be when all cylinders are firing.

Lynette Maggard (three singles) had three RBIs and Kaylee Lekki threw a complete game as Niagara-Wheatfield beat Kenmore East, 10-1, in Niagara Frontier League softball action Thursday afternoon.

After frustrating league losses to Kenmore West and North Tonawanda earlier in the week, the Falcons (10-6 overall, 5-4 NFL) were in a search of a more complete effort. Even Wednesday’s victory over Lockport left the Falcons unsatisfied because they knew they were capable of a far better showing.

Thursday’s game was just what they were looking for.

They cashed in scoring chances, played strong consistent defense, had power at the plate and made the most of their speed on the base paths.

Lynette Maggard, who was moved from her traditional 2-hole spot in the order to fifth, opened the scoring for Niagara-Wheatfield when she roped a triple to deep left field off Bulldogs starter Kristen DeSchenes that scored Angela Elliott and Kyrstin Lekki. Lynette’s younger sister Shelly (two RBIs), a sophomore, drove her sister in with a single to put the Falcons up, 3-0.

The Maggards also executed a double steal of home (Lynette) and second (Shelly) in the fifth that put Wheatfield up, 6-0.

“I definitely think this shows how good we really are,” Lynette Maggard said. “Lately in our games we’ve either been doing good offensively or good defensively. Today, we put it all together.”

Niagara-Wheatfield put the game out of reach with a six-run fifth inning that saw 10 batters come to the plate. First baseman Hannah Ball drove in two runs for the Falcons as they extended their lead.

Kaylee Lekki, who helped her own cause by going 2-for-4 with an RBI, struck out eight while allowing just three hits.

“This was probably a complete game all around where we were in control,” said Falcons coach Eric Belter. “We had solid base hits with runners on base and defensively we were solid, we weren’t throwing the ball around and Kaylee was outstanding today.”

The Bulldogs (4-8, 3-5) scored their lone run of the day during a bases-loaded seventh inning when Jordan Hertel’s infield single plated Jordyn Broas.

Broas and Joelle Pollak were the only other Bulldogs to register singles for Ken East.

Bulldogs coach Sara Colombo feels her girls are still working hard and that after a strong first half, the key from here on out is to not lose focus or sight of the good ball they’ve played so far this season.

“We’re putting too much pressure on ourselves and we’ve got to ease the pressure,” Colombo said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.