Afton Softball defeats Candor 3-1 on Thursday (Sectionals Round 1)

AFTON – Taking the win at 3-1 over Candor is a step in the in the right direction for the lady Crimson Knights.

Pitching for the win against Candor was Tracy Hatton for all seven innings – while Caleigh Stevens served as the Crimson Knights catcher. Hatton earned five strikeouts, allowing no walks in the process – however, gave up seven hits.

Candor’s pitcher Ari Anderson took the first-round loss on the mound, striking out six batters, walking none and allowing eight hits.

A 1-1 ball game at the end of the first inning, Afton was given the chance to advance further into sectionals when Makaela Mills and Stevens stepped to the plate in the fifth inning.

Mills smacked home the lead-changing run in the fifth, while Stevens snagged the games lone double, and the rest is history – as two Afton runners rounded the bases.

Mills finished as Afton’s top-batter going 2-3.

Afton (9-8 overall), advance to the second-round of the Section IV Class D softball playoffs when the defending New York State Champions Deposit lady Lumberjacks await. Afton will travel to Deposit on May 23, at 4:30 p.m.