IAC SOFTBALL: CANDOR WINS SHOWDOWN WITH GROTON (2019-04-23)

Tioga County Sports Report
GROTON — Candor scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed, defeating Groton, 9-4, in a crucial IAC Division 1 clash here Tuesday.

Asia Curkendall drove in two runs with a double as the visitors grabbed a 3-0 lead. Shelby Swartz reached with a single, Anna Greeno walked and Searra Allen was hit by a pitch, and all three scored to set the early stage.

Megan Henry would reach on an error and score on a Greeno walk to make it 4-0 in the second.

Groton would get a run back in its half of the second on a triple and an error.

Candor responded with a run in the fourth after Jennah Kareem walked and stole second, and Groton committed a pair of errors.

Once again, Groton would get the run back in its half of the inning on a base hit, making the score 5-2.

Candor would increase its lead to 7-2 in the fifth after Aryan Peters was hut by a pitch, and Swartz and Kareem smacked RBI singles.

Another pair of runs followed in the seventh. Swartz singled, Kareem reached on an error and both scored. Greeno picked up an RBI with a line-drive sacrifice to center field.

Down 9-2, Groton could only pick up two runs in its final at-bats.

Swartz enjoyed a 3-for-4 day at the plate, scoring three runs, steeling two bases and driving in a run. Curkendall went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two stolen bases. Kareem contributed a hit, two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI; Greeno had a run, two RBI and a stolen base; Peters added a run and a stolen base; and Allen and Henry tacked on a run apiece.

Greeno twirled a three-hitter, striking out six while giving up three walks and two earned runs.

“Shelby stayed hot and Anna threw very well,” Candor head coach Steve Frye said.

Candor improved to 6-2 record while Groton slipped to 4-3. Marathon and Odessa-Montour lead the division standings with 7-2 marks. The Indians host O-M at 5 p.m. today.