LAKE PLACID — The Adirondack Chill U16 ASA Softball Team’s pursuit of a second-straight Lake Placid Family Dental Invitational Tournament title fell short Sunday with an 8-4 loss to the eventual tourney runner-up Hudson Valley Vengance at the James Kordziel Athletic Complex.

The Vengance jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a bloop single to left off the bat of Mikeala Phillips and a wild pitch by Chill starter Ellie Bowlen (AuSable Valley Central). Two innings later, Hudson Valley extended its advantage to 4-0 on a run-scoring triple by Phillips and an RBI double by Hannah Mawyin.

Adirondack fought back in the fifth, plating a pair of runs on a two-run double to left center by Marrisa Gibbs (Saranac Lake High School). An inning later, Hannah Rondeau (AuSable Valley Central) came home on a Hudson Valley error to cut the deficit to a single run heading into the sixth.

Hudson Valley plated four runs in the top of the sixth to close out the scoring. Singles by Olivia Gerneau and Abby Hart set the table for a four-run uprising that would eventually propel the Vengence into the tournament final.

Mawyin had three hits and four RBIs to lead Hudson Valley, while teammate Jenna Poulsen chipped in two hits and an RBI. Anna Booz went the distance to get the win, allowing four earned runs on three hits while striking out five and walking three.

Bowlen took the loss after allowing four earned runs on five hits while fanning one and issuing one walk. Brooke Myers (Franklin Academy) took over for Bowlen in the fourth, allowing four earned runs on five hits while striking out two and walking four. Gibbs, Rondeau and Emma Prentiss (AuSable Valley Central) had one hit each for the Chill.

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Saturday

Adirondack Chill 4, Hudson Valley Vengance 1

Adirondack opened its title defense with a hard-fought 4-1 win over the Vengance. After Hudson Valley took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Chill responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the frame on a Gibbs’ single and a run-scoring groundout by Sydney Hunter (Northeastern Clinton Central).

The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Adirondack added a pair of insurance runs on a sacrifice bunt by Prentiss and a pinch-hit single to right by Anna Brown (Northern Adirondack Central). Myers went the distance to get the win allowing one earned run on one hit while fanning four and walking five. Adirondack had eight hits in the contest.

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Chill 14, St. Johnsbury Screaming Eagles 6

The Chill jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the game, and managed to fight off a late challenge from the Eagles, to secure  it’s second win of the tourney. Gibbs continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-4 in the game and rookie second baseman Kya McComb (Northeastern Clinton Central) pounded out three hits  to go with two RBIs.

Bowlen went five innings to get the win allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out five and walking two. McComb pitched two innings in relief of Bowlen allowing three earned runs on four hits while fanning one and walking two.

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Adirondack White Lightning 9, Chill 4

In a game suspended by rain Friday evening, the Chill could not make up an early four-run deficit and dropped a 9-4 decision to the Adirondack White Lightning. The host managed only one hit in the contest — a run-scoring single by Danielle Dubay (AuSable Valley Central). Rondeau had an RBI with a run-producing fielder’s choice in the first. Bowlen suffered the loss, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits while striking out five and walking none.

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St. Lawrence Thunder 4, Chill 2

The Chill closed out pool play with a tough 4-2 loss to eventual tournament champion St. Lawrence Thunder. The Adirondack bats continued to struggle, getting only one hit, an RBI single by Hunter in the second. Brown scored the Chill’s second run of the game in the seventh when she got aboard on an error, moved to second on a passed ball and scored a few pitches later on the Thunder’s second error of the inning.

Myers went five innings in taking the loss. She allowed two earned runs on one hit while fanning nine and walking one. Bowlen pitched the final two innings for Adirondack allowing two earned runs on three hits.

The Chill (6-12) will remain idle until Aug. 5-6 when it takes part in the annual Vermont Rockets Tournament to be held in St. Albans. The opponent and game time of Adirondack’s first contest has yet to be determined.