Pac gets back to winning ways vs. Suffern, Panas

Victories over Suffern (7-1) on April 16 and Walter Panas (16-4) on April 14 were just what the doctor ordered for the Mahopac softball team, which was coming off a couple of tough losses to league rivals Carmel and Yorktown.

“Our defense and pitching have been very good and kept us in every game this season,” Mahopac coach Julia Sager said after the Wolf Pac improved to 4-3 on the season.

Senior pitcher Ellie Gerleit has been pounding the strike zone, giving the Wolf Pac — which currently sits in the 7-8-9 range for postseason sectional seeding — an opportunity to stick close against a very competitive assemblage of opponents.

“Ellie has been consistent in the circle, throwing strikes and giving us a chance,” Sager said. “We were right there with Yorktown and Carmel until late but couldn’t string enough hits together.”

Mahopac sophomore Shivonne Barry has been crushing it, with three homers on the season, including a four-bagger against Panas.

“She’s been one of our best hitters all year,” the coach said. “We take it day by day, trying to do the little things right. Winning (against Panas and Suffern) was definitely good for our confidence going forward.”

Against Panas, the floodgates opened early and often. Barry went 2-4 with a three-run homer. Senior third baseman Alenah Gomes (2-4, 4 RBI), senior shortstop Camdyn Wilson (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and freshman catcher Giuliana Madera (2-2) were in the thick of each rally.

“It’s been really rewarding to see everything come together,” said junior center fielder Bella Genovese, who drove in the run against Carmel to take the lead 2-1 in the top of the sixth. “We’ve grown a lot as a team.

“We’re having more fun but also playing with a much more competitive mindset,” Genovese added. “We’ve got a big week ahead with four games, including Yorktown and Carmel, so we’re working hard and excited to compete.”

In the 5-2 loss to Carmel, Madera went 2-3 with two singles. Barry was 2-2 with a triple, and Gerleit pitched another strong game with five strikeouts, coming off a pitcher’s duel against Yorktown, which was scoreless for six innings before the Huskers caught fire in the seventh to hand Mahopac a 5-0 loss.