Jamesville-DeWitt Softball Tops Oswego in Extra Innings

Red Rams use small ball and speed to overcome dominant pitcher Maria Sweet

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:41am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, geometric painting in shades of blue, green, and orange, capturing the rapid movements and competitive spirit of a high school softball game through an abstract, multi-angled perspective.A fractured, cubist depiction of the intense back-and-forth battle between Jamesville-DeWitt and Oswego on the softball diamond.Syracuse Today

The Jamesville-DeWitt softball team defeated Oswego 5-4 in extra innings on Wednesday, overcoming a three-run home run by Oswego's Maria Sweet in the first inning. The Red Rams relied on small ball, bunts, and aggressive base running to claw their way back into the game, tying it in the bottom of the seventh before winning it in the eighth on a bunt single by senior Savannah Schnorr.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between two strong Section III softball programs showcased the value of adaptability and strategic play, as the Red Rams were able to find a way to win against an overpowering pitcher by focusing on manufacturing runs through small ball tactics.

The details

Oswego took an early 3-0 lead after Sweet's three-run homer in the first inning, but J-D chipped away at the deficit, cutting it to 3-2 after three innings. The Red Rams then tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh on a bases-loaded walk and a passed ball. In the eighth inning, Schnorr laid down a bunt single to score the winning run. J-D stole 11 bases as a team, with Schnorr swiping five bags.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • Oswego took a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
  • J-D cut the deficit to 3-2 after three innings.
  • The game was tied 4-4 at the end of the seventh inning.
  • The winning run was scored in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The players

Savannah Schnorr

A senior for the Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams who scored three runs, singled, walked twice, and stole five bases in the game.

Maria Sweet

A junior pitcher for the Oswego Buccaneers who hit a three-run home run in the first inning and recorded 17 strikeouts, but took the loss.

Jeff Cantor

The head coach of the Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams, who praised his team's small ball and base running tactics against the dominant Sweet.

Emily Qiao

A Jamesville-DeWitt freshman who combined with Grace Toyama to pitch eight innings, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

Grace Toyama

A Jamesville-DeWitt freshman who combined with Emily Qiao to pitch eight innings, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's kind of the way games work sometimes. Whoever makes the last error is probably going to lose, and that's kind of the way the game went...and this all happened in a game that was pretty even.”

— Jeff Cantor, Head Coach, Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams

“I knew we were going to have to claw back, and then we got to the bottom of the seventh and miraculously tied it up.”

— Jeff Cantor, Head Coach, Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams

“Savannah was outstanding tonight. She's an absolute weapon when she gets on base. Her speed makes a big, big difference. We were able to hold things down in that eighth innings and Savannah laid down that bunt. It worked to perfection.”

— Jeff Cantor, Head Coach, Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams

“Against a pitcher like (Sweet), you've got to do whatever you can to get runners on base. We're a team that's got some speed to it, so we used it to our advantage. We knew we weren't going to hit our way into a win against Maria...she's just too good, so we did other things for that win.”

— Jeff Cantor, Head Coach, Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams

“It's always good when you have two kids that can throw. They did a really good job of keeping us in the game, especially after that home run (from Sweet).”

— Jeff Cantor, Head Coach, Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams

What’s next

The Red Rams (1-1) will face Central Square at 5 p.m. on Friday, while the Buccaneers (0-1) will host East Syracuse at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

The takeaway

This game showcased the value of adaptability and strategic play in high school softball, as the Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams were able to overcome a dominant pitching performance by Oswego's Maria Sweet through the use of small ball tactics and aggressive base running.