Top softball teams in Section V: Reigning champs face tough schedules

Strength of schedule seems to be the theme for Section V's reigning softball champions.

Webster Thomas will travel to Section II, Section III and Section VI. Rush-Henrietta and Friendship/Scio are currently in South Carolina. In fact, Friendship/Scio's Golden Eagles play two games a year against another three-time section champion in Allegany County foe Bolivar-Richburg.

Makenzie Cowburn's Wellsville Lions, currently in Maryland, are literally in a league of their own. The Class B program is also located in Allegany County but plays an independent schedule year-after-year. The three-time Section V champions are currently in Maryland to open their rigorously constructed schedule to prepare for the postseason. With a mix of out-of-state teams and some of Buffalo area's best, 11 of Wellsville's 20 games are against non-Section V programs.

"That's why when you make a deep postseason run it is pretty magical because there's never a given. And we're approaching this season taking nothing for granted," Wellsville coach Matt Burke said.

Bookmark this: Section V softball scores for 2024 season

Reigning Section V softball champions

Class AA: Rush-Henrietta (19-5): Won program's first title in 2023; lost in regionals.

Class A1: Webster Thomas (17-8): Won first title since 2009 in third straight finals trip; lost in NYS semis.

Class A2: Honeoye Falls-Lima (11-11): Won second title since 2021; lost in Class A crossover.

Class B1: Batavia (16-7): Won first title since 2013; lost in Class B crossover.

Class B2: Wellsville (21-2): Won third consecutive title, lost in the 2023 NYS semifinals and 2022 regionals.

Class C1: Addison (16-8): Won first title since winning states in 2015; lost in Class C crossover.

Class C2: Bolivar-Richburg (23-3): Won three consecutive titles; lost in first region appearance since 2013.

Class D1: Batavia Notre Dame (17-6): Won first section title since winning states in 2012; lost in Class D crossover.

Class D2: Friendship/Scio (20-4): Won third consecutive title; lost in the 2023 NYS final and 2022 NYS semifinals.

Webster Thomas owed nothing

Webster Thomas coach Emily Castro will take this spring "one game at a time" after a state semifinals run. Especially now that the Titans have moved up from Class A to a reconstructed Class AA bracket.

"Nobody owes us anything," Castro said. "Just because we made it to states last year doesn't mean we're owed that for this year."

It took three straight finals appearances before Webster Thomas broke through to win the 2023 Section V championship, turning that into a state final four trip, where the Titans were four outs away from the state title game before falling to Section II's Troy.

Led by three senior captains, Webster Thomas' roster looks promising. All-Greater Rochester first teamer Maddie Hicks will patrol the circle, Maddie Throumoulos returns to third base, and Julia Maciag is back at shortstop.

Ella Maloney moved from left field to catcher. Olivia Constantino is back at second. Molly Sweeney is at first. Emily Ford started in the outfield as a freshman, and has returned after an injury sidelined her for the entire 2023 season. Emma Maloney and Ruby Marrapese are also dangerous outfielders.

Wellsville Lions' lineup 'luxury'

Coach Burke was unsure how much his Wellsville players knew about "The Great Bambino" before visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore on Wednesday. The Lions lost their first of three Maryland games Monday to open their tough schedule. In 2023, a walk-off hit by Section IX's Marlboro prevented Wellsville from a Class B state finals appearance.

All but one player has returned to a Wellsville program with five section finals appearances in eight seasons. Two-time AGR first teamer Makenzie Cowburn is among them. Cowburn is "excellent" at putting the ball where she wants. The senior is always composed and even swings a solid bat.

Now a junior, Makenna Dunbar can "change the game in one swing". Dunbar arguably owned Section V's mightiest bat as a sophomore, destroying two home runs in regionals and another homer in the state semifinals. Coach Burke said she has "light tower power". Dunbar also pitches and played left field last year.

Wellsville is wealthy with lively bats. Averee Palmatier hit .514 from the nine spot. Sawyer Burke and Natalie Adams' bats brings more "luxury" to the Lions' lineup. Marissa Ordway is part of Wellsville's talented pitching trio. Brazen Beckwith and Lindsay Stuck are both outstanding" catchers who can receive and throw. Teagan Burke and Ayla Faulkner should make solid contributions as sophomores.

"It's just humbling to be around so much talent," coach Burke said.

Section V's new classification

The 2024 softball season will add an additional Class AAA classification.

Rush-Henrietta, Fairport, Greece Storm and Franklin/World of Inquiry are Section V's four Class AAA teams. The classification features the last two Class AA champions: Rush-Henrietta (2023) — which returns AGR first teamer Kadyn Hartel and AGR Coach of the Year Lynn Rotola — and Fairport (2022).

The addition of Class AAA strengthened the Class AA bracket. Victor made a Class AA finals run in 2023, but Webster Thomas, Webster Schroeder, Pittsford Mendon and Irondequoit are just some former Class A programs capable of a Class AA run.

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been reporter for 14 years. Follow him @MarquelSports on X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V softball 2024: Top teams face tough schedules