CHENANGO FORKS – The 2024 spring season is upon us as the Norwich Purple Tornado baseball and softball teams traveled to Chenango Forks for the season opener. Forks was too strong in both games, sending Norwich home empty-handed and looking to bounce back after a shaky start.

Baseball:

The Norwich Purple Tornado baseball team fell to the Blue Devils 17-3 as Forks came up big in the fifth inning with nine runs to end the game. After being down 6-0, Norwich added three runs, but were limited to just two hits on the day. At the top of the third inning, the first batter up was Aiden Whaley and he got on base on a defensive error. That same error then moved him to second base, where he and Zack Parker swap places in the next at-bat. Zack Parker drove Whaley home on a double to left field as Owen Olds had Norwich’s other hit with a double in the fourth inning. Parker would do some great base running as he moved to second after Kaden Downey was hit by the pitch and then stole third base. Parker and Downey both scored on Graham Burton’s at-bat while Burton reached on an error.

Braden Reid started on the mound for the Purple Tornado and lasted three innings at 77 pitches. He struck out two batters as Zack Parker pitched one inning and struck out one batter. Carmine Pastore and Owen Olds split the fifth inning.

Norwich (0-1) looks to bounce back on the road against Waverly on Thursday, March 28 at 5 p.m.

Softball:

The Norwich Purple Tornado softball team were no-hit by the Blue Devils and suffered a 26-0 loss. Norwich’s Caitlin Wetterhahn struck out five batters in the loss. Norwich also travels to Waverly on Thursday at 5 p.m.