THIS ONE’S FOR ALL THE AVERILL PARK GIRLS
Averill Park softball shakes off Jamesville-DeWitt, finally. in New York State playoffs
MALTA, N.Y. » If you’re an athlete at Averill Park High School you are all too aware of Syracuse rival Jamesville-DeWitt.
The Section III powerhouse is well-known, respected and at the same time or more often at times, politely stated – hated.
Jamesville-DeWitt has played the role of spoiler for the Warriors girls basketball team for the past five years in the state tournament. On Thursday afternoon the Averill Park softball team finally got one back.
Eight- grader Abbey Nagel’s stroked a single to knock in her sister, Marissa Nagle in the bottom of the second inning to tie the contest at one run apiece. In the bottom of the sixth she followed up her early-inning heroics with another strike, this time driving in Leah Debboli for the precious 2-1 lead. Once again senior Kylie Gavitt was in the circle for the final out, advancing the Warriors to the Class A NYSPHSAA Regional Saturday in Potsdam.
“Last year I didn’t get to play them because I was on the bench
(injured),” Kylie Gavitt said. “It was tough to watch.
“But this year you have to come back when and I came in earlier this, time we are ready for that. Coach told me to be ready to pitch anytime.”
Averill Park coach Ken Bailey once again started Jaydn Lee in the circle, but after Jamesville- DeWitt took an early 1- 0 lead he brought in Gavitt for the duration.
“For me it was keeping it low because at first keeping it low, let them hit on the ground and then I would try to throw him off with my rise ball too,” Gavitt said. “They would just as a swing and a miss and it was working, so I just continued to do that at the time.”
The combination again worked to perfection for the Warriors, Lee starting the contest and Gavitt finishing, providing a 1-2 punch that was lacking last year and prevented Averill Park from advancing deep into the New York State tournament.
“It would have been big last year,” Bailey said. “Kylie was hurt so we went out with the one pitcher and they kind of got to Jaydn. You know, it would have been nice if we had the heat to bring her in.”
This year it was an option and proved to be the right decision.
“She doesn’t get riled you know and that’s what we need,” Bailey said. “We need mental toughness and you can tell she has that focus, mental toughness. I’ve watched this kid grow since she was a freshman to the senior that she is now and she has learned to be a pitcher and not a thrower.”
Bailey’s mantra was one of worry but also of awareness to his Warriors squad.
“You can’t make mistakes in this game, at this level.” Bailey said. “We’ve been very fortunate with the pitching and the defensive. We scratch out just enough runs and I think we’re 10-2 in one run ball games this year.”
Bailey was also glad to shake off the losing streak to Jamesville-DeWitt for both the girls basketball and softball programs.
“The dinosaur is off our back now,” Bailey said. “Our basketball team, they’ve been beaten like five times by those guys and they beat us last year, so it was nice to get past them. They’ve got a good team.”
Averill Park will travel to SUNY Potsdam 2 p.m. Saturday to face Section X champion Franklin Academy. If successful the Warriors will advance to the NYSPHSAA Final Four at Moreau Rec Park, Saturday, June 9.