OBSERVER Photo by Lisa Monacelli Cassadaga Valley catcher Hannah Edwards slides in safely to score on a passed ball, Monday.

OBSERVER Staff Report

SINCLAIRVILLE — Cassadaga Valley head coach Ken Balling described junior flamethrower Brittyn LeBaron as a “gamer.”

When the stakes are the highest, she’s at her best, as she dealt the Lady Cougars to a Class C quarterfinal victory over Maple Grove Monday night with a final score of 7-4.

The Cougars got the offense rolling early as they were able to score after LeBaron got on with a triple. Bella Ruiz was able to knock in a run on a sacrifice, and Maple Grove made their only error of the game on a dropped third strike, allowing a second run to score.

The game stayed 2-0 until it reached the bottom of the fifth inning. Cassadaga Valley, with one out already recorded in the inning, strung together six of their nine hits in the game to put up five runs to make the score 7-0.

“At that point I was feeling pretty good,” said Balling. “But that changed quickly. Maple Grove is a tough team. They never quit.”

Maple Grove finally found life in the sixth, as they were able to put up two runs in the frame. Prior to that inning, LeBaron had held the Red Dragons to just one hit all afternoon.

Maple Grove was able to put more pressure in the seventh, scoring two more to push the score to 7-4, but LeBaron and the Cougars were able to withstand the pressure.

LeBaron finished the game throwing seven innings, striking out ten while giving up eight hits and the four earned runs.

“[Brittyn] is fighting through it,” said Balling. “She never wants to come out. She’s done it all season long.”

With the win, it pushes LeBaron to an even 20-0 career record as a varsity pitcher. She’s not just doing it on the mound either, as she’s gone 10-12 at the plate over her last three games, including a 4-4 game on Monday including that triple.

Holly Crandall had two hits with a double and 2 RBI for the Lady Cougars, and got help from Emily Roberts who also contributed with two hits.

With the win, Cassadaga Valley will move on to play Chautauqua Lake in the Class C semifinals on Thursday.

“Chautauqua Lake has been a menace since they combined,” stated Balling. “They’ve been playing ‘A’ schools all season. It’s going to be a tough game for both sides.”

Balling said his plan is to go back to LeBaron in the circle on Thursday. Game is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m. at Chautauqua Lake High School.