Mechanicville players celebrate the 2008 New York State Class C championship. (Photo - JS Carras)

For the Red Raiders, it was a tale of two players. On Saturday, neither Lindsey McKeever or Anna Arceneaux could do no wrong.
In two games against two of the top four teams in the state, McKeever went 8-for-10 and Arceneaux went 7-for-8 as Mechanicville outscored its opponents 21-4.
Arceneaux also picked up two wins in the pitcher's circle and the freshman led the Red Raiders (22-8) to their first state title since 2005.
Mechanicville head coach Don Arceneaux explained his team's success this way: "I've never coached a team this close. Throughout my life I've had great teams, but never one this close."
His daughter, Anna, seconded that thought.
"He said if he could, he would keep this team," Anna said.

On the first play of the semifinal game against Pulaksi, McKeever lined a single to left field and was excitedly clapping her hands at first base. Just then, you knew Mechanicville was coming in with the right attitude.
In the fourth inning, Arceneaux tripled to center, driving home two more runs. As she slowed into third base, she slapped a big high five with her father and flashed a big smile to the bench.

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Another Colonial Council team was in action on Saturday as well.
Cohoes lost to Fredonia, 9-6, but it was easily the most exciting contest at BAGSAI. Down 5-2 early, all looked lost for Cohoes. But with the bases loaded, Jess Dearstyne came to the dish.
She lined a rope just over the left center fence for a lead-swinging grand slam, with one swing turning the Tigers' mood from dejection to elation.

The Cohoes Tigers celebrate their second straight Section II Class B title at Clifton Common.

In the top of the seventh, Fredonia knotted the score at six and seconds later, thunder forced the teams off the field for an hour and fifteen minutes.
When the teams came back, Fredonia resumed play with the bases loaded and one out. On the second pitch, Fredonia's T'Ana Abt hit the game-winning three-run double.

Surely it was a tough way for the Cohoes seniors to go - but, oh, what a run they've had the past three years. As sophomores, they helped the Tigers win their first ever Section II playoff game.
In 2007, the won the first Section II championship in school history. In 2008, they found a way back to the state final four.

"It still feels good knowing we made it to states," said Dearstyne. "We have nothing to hang our heads about. We gave it everything we had."