NEW YORK STATE SOFTBALL: OWEGO’S GILBERT EARNS SECOND-TEAM HONOR (2022-06-28)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Owego’s Lauren Gilbert has been selected to the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches of Girls Sports Class B second team.

A pitcher, she went 11-0 in the circle, recording an 11-6 overall record with a 1.847 ERA over 102 1/3 innings. She gave up 48 runs on 81 hits and 41 walks while striking out 134 batters. Gilbert also hit .485 for the season with six homers, two triples, six doubles and 27 RBI.

“Lauren Gilbert is a joy to coach,” Owego coach Brent Doane said. “Without her, we don't have the season we had.”

The senior led the Indians to the Section IV Class B championship game, posting a 0.83 ERA in sectional play, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 21 batters. At the plate, Gilbert hit .333 (3-for-9) and accounted for seven of Owego’s 11 postseason runs.

“She was an incredibly dangerous hitter, evidenced by her intentional walks in the championship game,” Doane said. “But she was just as effective in the circle. She was capable of striking any hitter out.”

The Indians would fall to Chenango Valley in extra innings in the Class B title game and the Warriors would go on to become the state runner-up.

Owego recovered from an early three-game losing streak and a 1-3 start to make a strong postseason run behind Gilbert’s arm and bat.

Gilbert, a STAC East / Central All-Conference al-star and the All-Tioga County Softball Player of the Year, belted the game-winning home run in a 2-1 semifinal upset of top-seeded defending champion Susquehanna Valley and her solo shot against CV in the finals ignited a two-inning rally to tie the game when her team trailed, 4-1.

Gilbert has signed to play for Division III Keuka College next season.

“She wanted to leave the program in a better place than when she got here and she did,” Doane said. “I think she will be a tremendous addition for Keuka.”

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IN PHOTO: Owego’s Lauren Gilbert. ... TCSR STOCK PHOTO.