The rivalry between Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool softball brings added intensity to every matchup.
Liverpool knocking C-NS out of last year's playoffs only added more fuel to the fire.
The Northstars leaned on that motivation in a 2-1 win Monday, delivering a tough blow on Liverpool's senior night.
Complete Box Score »
"You want a little redemption, but you don't really need that too much with the C-NS—Liverpool rivalry," Northstars coach Morgan Nandin said. "It's been that for decades. It's a fun game when you get to play Liverpool. The competitiveness is elevated."
When these teams faced off earlier in the campaign, C-NS shut down Liverpool en route to a 1-0 victory. Monday's contest followed a similar script.
It was a pitchers' duel early on. Liverpool was able to get runners into scoring position but couldn't get anyone across home plate. On the other side, Liverpool pitcher Alexis Goodfellow cruised through three perfect innings.
C-NS finally broke through in the fourth inning. Outfielder Gabrielle Jaquin kicked off the rally with a double. Mia Farone battled through a long at-bat to draw a walk. Shortstop Sydney Rockwell came up clutch with a single to knock in both baserunners. Goodfellow escaped the jam without giving up any more runs, but the damage was already done.
"This game was just about letting loose and having fun," Rockwell said. "Coach Nandin tells us all the time to have fun and play like you will never play again. I think that has really helped me recently with getting the ball in play."
Liverpool struck back soon after. Sophomore Ashley Nestor crushed a double to start the fifth inning. Goodfellow advanced Nestor to third base with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Katherine Springall. C-NS nearly got out of the inning when a lineout came close to ending in a double play, but the throw to first base caromed off Springall's helmet. The deflection allowed Nestor to score.
Another Liverpool double put runners on second and third base with just one out. Nandin decided to replace starting pitcher Mila Owens with junior Kiyara Bembry.
"Mila threw a great game," Nandin said. "They had a couple good hits off her, so we just wanted to switch some things up. Mila and Kiyara work really well off of each other."
Bembry managed to keep Liverpool at bay and ended the inning without allowing a run.
However, the junior did not stop there. Bembry no-hit Liverpool through the final two innings to clinch the win.
"Kiyara is very solid mentally, so we feel really confident putting her in tough situations," Nandin said. "She keeps an even keel, and she just likes to compete."
Bembry's outing marked the first time in her career she pitched multiple hitless innings in relief.
Goodfellow reached a milestone of her own on the mound, recording her 100th strikeout of the season. The sophomore fanned 11 batters throughout the night.
"Goodfellow is a very good pitcher," Nandin said. "It's always exciting to face a really good pitcher. It challenges us. She threw a fantastic game."
C-NS wrapped up a sweep of its season series against Liverpool. It marked a sharp turnaround from last year, when Liverpool took all three meetings.
"Liverpool is always our biggest opponent," Bembry said. "It's great to get a good win against them."
The Northstars have now won three consecutive contests.
C-NS (11-4) looks to stay hot in its season finale against Chittenango on Tuesday.
