STAC SOFTBALL: CRAWFORD FANS 18 AS OWEGO BLANKS BINGHAMTON FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN (2024-04-27)

Tioga County Sports Report
BINGHAMTON — Carsten Crawford had Binghamton’s number Friday as the Owego softball team posted a 4-0 shutout in STAC softball action.

Crawford struck out 18 batters and came within two outs of a no-hitter as the River Hawks moved above .500 at 5-4. She faced just 23 batters, surrendering a seventh-inning single and walking a batter in the third.

Owego scored the only run it would need with two out in the top of the third inning. Jill Lewis and RaeAnn Craft singled, and Kylie Grippen reached on a fielder’s choice in between. Grippen scored on Lexi Cheeseman’s bunt single to third base.

The River Hawks doubled their lead in the fourth, again with two outs in the book. Lewis doubled to right, then Grippen followed with an RBI double to center.

The fifth inning allowed Owego to double its advantage — again with two gone. Cheeseman laid down a bunt double, Brooklyn Guarnier followed with a sacrifice bunt, then Cheeseman scored on a passed ball. Ava Brown walked and made it 4-0 on Miley Laubach’s double to right.

The River Hawks finished with 10 hits on the day with Laubach going 3-for-4 with a trio of doubles and an RBI. Cheeseman was 2-for-3 with a double, a run and RBI, and Lewis was 2-for-3 with a double and a run.

Grippen had a double, a run and an RBI; Alex Aubel and Craft contributed one hit apiece; and Brown had a run.

Owego hosts Waverly (5-4) Monday at 5 p.m. It will be the River Hawks first home game since April 10.