08/16/2026
The Cardinal FastPitch 16u team returned to action today as the #4 seed vs another strong team in Hornell/Haverling and came away with a 6-5 come from behind walk-off victory. Things started off slow for teams until the Cardinals got on the board in the second inning as Peyton hit a double and scored off a Mya Raley RBI single for a 1-0 lead. McKenzie Bauder and Amileah Muhisin both reached base to load the bases but a strikeout ended further damage. The lead stayed 1-0 through three innings as Peyton Comstock was strong in the circle and her defense was even better as Kelcie Songster made multiple plays at third base as did Leah Johnson at second base and Lily Montaldi at shortstop.
However, in the fourth Hornell plated four runs to take a 4-1 lead but was shut down by two more great plays at shortstop and Lily M. The lead stayed that way until the fifth when Amileah ripped a single and scored to cut the lead to 4-2. With two outs Leah Johnson, Lily and Peyton loaded the bases and Mackenzie Leigh Johnson stepped in the box and delivered a bases clearing single to take a 5-4 lead. Hornell tied things up at 5-5 and that's when McKenzie Bauder shut things down in the circle with a great line drive catch and a perfect throw to her sister Hannah at first for the inning ending double play.
The Cardinals (sponsored by Chaffee Chick Design and Coops Reds Caboose) could not break the tie as time was becoming a factor. In the seventh and final inning, tied at 5-5, Lily made two great plays at shortstop and Peyton made a phenomenal catch in left field to keep things at 5 and that's when Kelcie drew a walk and Leah put down a beautiful bunt advancing both into scoring position with only one out.
Peyton also put down a "su***de squeeze" of sorts and Kelcie scored for the 6-5 win. What a game and what a comeback as the girls really had to battle through some adverse conditions, but moved onto play #1 seed Canisteo in the Semi-Finals.
It was there where McKenzie Bauder (1 k) did all she could to keep things close in her four innings of work, but the Elite were just that winning the game 8-0. Once again Lily was great at shortstop as was Mya at third, Leah at second and Hannah Bauder at first, but Kailyn Rigerman and Kelcie were all over the outfield. In fact, Kelcie threw a girl out at home trying to score from second base in the first inning. Peyton threw two girls out attempting to steal third and a few double plays fell just short. But the game was decided through five innings as Canisteo scored one in the first, four in the second, two in the fourth and the final run in the fifth off reliever Mackenzie Leigh Johnson who recorded a comebacker and attempted double play and a strikeout before a bloop single ended the tournament for the Cardinals at 8-0.
Overall, two wins and three losses in a very competitive tournament, but the team battled throughout and showed their toughness, especially the younger girls who were asked to play up and boy did they do a good job in the older division. As you know we really never stop but we will get to some practicing to get ready for our fall tournaments in September. Great job ladies, Go-Cardinals-Go!!
