CCHS volleyball snaps Troy's streak; Cohoes football schedule change
Troy High School's girls volleyball team lost Tuesday evening at Catholic Central, 3-2. Troy had put together two straight undefeated regular seasons in the Big 10 Conference and had not lost a league game since 2007. Some might call it The Record jinx, but what can you do?
Troy (6-1, 11-1) is now tied with CCHS (6-1, 8-2) atop the Big 10 standings. Our Andrew Santillo was there and he'll have the story in The Record tomorrow.
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On a football note, Cohoes' upcoming football game against Hudson has been moved to Fri., Oct. 15, under the portable lights. The Tigers have played night games each of the past two seasons. Kickoff that Friday night is set for 7 p.m.
Update No. 2 (9/17/10, 9:50 p.m.): I received a copy of the updated Lansingburgh High School football roster at the boys soccer game tonight from Athletic Director Michael Harkin. The three players who were listed on the team's preseason roster and were not on the updated roster are: Blake Mosley, Dave Carmean and Jared Grimes.The identity of the junior varsity player who was hazed has yet to be confirmed by school sources.
TROY — The Lansingburgh High School football team has suspended three players for violating the school's athletic code of conduct, school officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
The nature of the allegations and the names of the players were not revealed.
"Three players were removed from the team for alleged allegations against the Lansingburgh athletic code of conduct," head coach Al McNall said. "Their removal is pending the results of the investigation. That’s all I can say."
Our news staff is also working the story and we will provide updates as soon as possible.
Lansingburgh (0-0, 1-1, Class A) is preparing to face archrival Cohoes (0-0, 0-2, Class B) Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. on the Tigers' Alumni Field. A season ago, Lansingburgh, playing in Class B, defeated Cohoes 51-19 on Sept. 18, 2009, in what was the first meeting between Cohoes and Lansingburgh since Oct. 7, 2005.
Lansingburgh head coach Al McNall directs his players during a preseason practice at the high school. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).
Although the game won't count toward either team's playoff push, it will certainly have meaning to the players, especially in light of the recent suspensions at Lansingburgh. Former Cohoes High players Kyle Farley and Anthony Fogarty also transferred to Lansingburgh for their senior seasons, which adds to the rivalry.
"A game is a game," McNall said. "We’re getting ready for a football game against Cohoes. Like anything else, we can’t take any one lightly. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day, especially with Cohoes-Lansingburgh. I don’t care if one is AA and one is D. A rivalry is a rivalry. You know how rivalry games go, they can go either way.
"That’s our focus right now, getting ready for Saturday afternoon’s game."
Rensselaer High School football head coach Joel Preston raises his arms to signal a touchdown after the Rams finished their patented four quarters conditioning drill following Wednesday's practice. (Photos by Will Montgomery - The Record).
RENSSELAER -- When Saratoga Central Catholic High School folded its football program over the summer, the remaining seven Class D teams in Section II received a bye on the week each was slated to play the Saints.
Rensselaer is first up for the bye week, as its season-opening game has been pushed back to Friday, Sept. 10, when the Rams host Fort Edward at 7 p.m.
But when Section III’s Hamilton, a Class D school, announced that it too, was dropping its program on Tuesday, a group of Syracuse-area schools also have open dates on the schedule. Bishop Grimes High School of East Syracuse, like Rensselaer, has an open date the first weekend of September.
Rensselaer hasn’t officially decided to play in week one or not, as head coach Joel Preston and his staff are reviewing their options.
"A bye could help us eligibility-wise because we would have two kids that we normally wouldn’t have," Preston said. "It might also hurt because you want to get games under your belt. You want to get kids on the field playing."
Class D has seen some reshuffling in 2010. Greenwich and Lake George made the leap up to Class C. Cambridge, which played in Class C in 2009, has moved back to Class D this season.
With a lack of depth in the classification locally, the Rams may have to turn to an oppo¬nent from out of the area if they want to be sharp enough to post a third straight Section II Class D Super Bowl title.
"I’d rather play and the kids would rather play," said Preston. "I’ll keep looking for a game."
‘Vliet has new home base
Thanks to a little bit of help from City Hall (offensive coordi¬nator Mike Manning is the city’s mayor) the Watervliet High School football team has a new home base for training camp in 2010.
Construction at the high school has forced the team off its traditional practice field and onto the small field adjacent to the Watervliet Dome on Second Avenue and Thirteenth Street.
The team uses the dome building to get out of the sun and for position-specific meetings before practice.
"You know what? We actually love it here," said head coach Erick Bernard Tuesday evening. "It’s only day two, but if it con¬tinues to go like it is, we might keep doubles here form here on out. Mr. (Michael) Reinfurt made all the signs up, which say things like ‘Welcome to Watervliet Football Camp’ and ‘This is Cannoneer Country."
Cohoes playing numbers game
Cohoes High School head coach James Ducharme esti¬mates that his varsity team will dress 18 players for each game this season and the Tigers’ junior varsity squad will have 22 players.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association requires football teams to dress at least 16 healthy players for each contest.
"This year, with 18, it’s going to be a challenge," said Ducharme. "The way we push them in camp and the way we push each other, everyone is going to be accountable. There are going to be some guys in positions they haven’t played in the past and they’re going to have to do big things."
While some schools are seeing a decline in numbers, others have seen an increase. Christian Brothers Academy has about 85 players in camp and Shaker High School saw 100 players come out for the varsity and junior varsity teams on opening day.
Rensselaer High School seniors, Phil Sayers, Jason Brown and Tyler Bishop (left to right) will be major contributors for the Rams in 2010. Look for Rensselaer's training camp report on the blog later this week.
COHOES -- The numbers game hasn't been kind to the Cohoes High School football program this season.
Despite compiling a 14-4 record over the past two seasons, advancing to the Section II Class B semifinals each year, the Tigers will field just 18 varsity players in 2010. The challenge of having fewer than 20 players for a Class B program is enormous.
The Tigers will not be able to simulate an 11-on-11 situation in practice with varsity players alone. Junior varsity players (or coaches) will have to fill in on the scout team to give the first team players a good look during preparation sessions.
"Numbers-wise, we’re going to be small," said head coach James Ducharme. "We're probably going to have 18 varsity players and 22 on the junior varsity. We played the number game here the last couple of years and we're usually around 20 kids. This year, with 18, it’s going to be a challenge. The way we push them in camp and the way we push each other, everyone is going to be accountable. There are going to be some guys in positions they haven’t played in the past and they’re going to have to do big things. That’s what we as a program have to weed out this camp."
New York State requires that football teams dress at least 16 healthy players for each game.
Dustin Hallock is all smiles after making the move to the backfield for his senior season. "Offensive line was kind of boring for me," he laughed. (Mugshot photos by Will Montgomery - The Record).
One of the key players on the team this year will be Dustin Hallock, who is returning to the fullback spot after spending his junior season on the offensive line.
"You could always hope for certain kids to be leaders," said Ducharme. "The senior group we have now has been around for four years, so they have seen the way everything has transitioned. They have seen the (Sean) Littlejohns and the (Steve) Weavers come through, so we’re hoping for them to take leadership roles. Some of them are starting to emerge as vocal leaders of getting in guys’ faces and saying, 'this is how we do it."
"As seniors, we have to push our kids to win and that’s all we want to do," said senior Darnell Rafalko. "Win."
Darnell Rafalko could be a dual threat on offense for the Tigers this year, playing both the wide receiver and quarterback positions.
The Tigers have a number of interesting dates on the schedule. They open the season at Union College against Schalmont on Friday, Sept. 3. The Sabres knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs in the Class B semifinals last year, a 55-14 decision.
"I hated leaving like that, losing by 30-somehthing, 40-something," Rafalko said (editor's note: it was 41 points). "We just went back on the bus and it was a quiet ride home."
Cohoes' non-league game will be played against arch-rival Lansingburgh, which made the jump to Class A this year. That game, which will be played on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Cohoes, kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
Senior Darnell Rafalko stretches out during Cohoes High School's first football practice of the season on August 16, 2010. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).
Cohoes, 2009 game-by-game results
Cobleskill-Richmondville, W 34-6
JOHNSTOWN, W 38-14
Lansingburgh, L 51-19
RAVENA, W 21-14
HUDSON, W 26-22
ALBANY ACADEMY, W 33-26
Hudson Falls, L 27-13
COBLESKILL-RICHMONDVILLE, W 39-20*
Schalmont, L 55-14!
*Section II Class B quarterfinals
!Section II Class B semifinals
Home games in CAPS
Cohoes, 2010 schedule
Friday Sept. 3, vs. Schalmont at Union College, 7 p.m.
Friday Sept. 10, at Schuylerville, 7 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 18, vs. Lansingburgh, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 25, vs. Ravena, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 2, at Cairo-Durham, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 9, at Albany Academy, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 16, vs. Hudson, 1:30 p.m.
Cohoes’ three keys to the season 1, Conditioning. With just 18 players on the roster, the Tigers are going to have to be iron men in the fourth quarter if they want to keep up with teams that have depth. 2,Find a leader. With the transfer of Anthony Fogarty to Lansingburgh, Cohoes will have to discover a new vocal leader who can inspire the team to second-half rallies. 3, Smooth position adjustments. Dustin Hallock is shifting from the offensive line to fullback and Darnell Rafalko may be seeing time at quarterback. Can they adapt on the fly?
Cohoes High School football players run sprints during the first day of practice on Monday, August 16, 2010. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).
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Keep checking back on the blog for a training camp report posted every day between now and opening day of the high school football season on Thursday, Sept. 2. The schools will be posted in no particular order, so please be patient if you don't see your school right away.
Also keep your eyes open for our 48-page preview section - Kickoff 2010 - which hits the newsstands inside The Record on Thursday, Sept. 2.
Airing it out: 'Burgh wins fourth annual Tiger Shootout
Featuring rookie quarterback Carlos Grillo, the Lansingburgh Knights, a perennial power-running team, won the Tiger Shootout, a 7-on-7 passing tournament held at Cohoes High School.
Lansingburgh's Quincy Michael, Carlos Grillo and Anthony Fogarty (left to right) pose with the Tiger Shootout trophy after defeating Shaker in the title game Sunday afternoon.
COHOES -- For the better part of the last decade, stellar running backs and bone-crushing linemen have defined Lansingburgh High School football.
But for a few hours Sunday, a rookie quarterback and a set of wide receivers and defensive backs proved that the Knights can also excel on both sides of the passing game.
Cohoes High School quarterback Danny DeChiaro throws a pass during the 2010 Tiger Shootout Sunday morning at Cohoes High School. Lansingburgh won the tournament, defeating Shaker in the title game, 28-0. (Photo by Jeff Couch - The Record).
Carlos Grillo, a lanky lefthanded thrower who played just one game at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2009, guided the Knights to an undefeated record en route to the team title at the fourth annual Tiger Shootout 7-on-6 passing tournament at Cohoes High School.
Lansingburgh defeated Shaker High in the championship game, 28-0. The secondary stepped up in the shutout win, intercepting three Shaker passes.
One of the stars for Lansingburgh on both sides of the ball was rising senior Anthony Fogarty, who recently transferred from Cohoes. A fiery running back and linebacker, Fogarty was a major part of Cohoes’ turnaround the past few seasons and he is looking to contribute at Lansingburgh this season as well.
"It’s a little weird, but I’m over here now," Fogarty said. "My goal is to win the Super Bowl and go far. This is the first step. Well, the first was Capitaland, but now this. It’s a really good step."
Quincy Michael, who will be one of key returning skill players for the Knights, was happy that the team is starting to move on from its defeat in the 2009 Section II Class C championship game.
"It feels good," Michael said. "We lost in the Super Bowl last year, so we’re trying to redeem ourselves and get back. Since we got Anthony, a really good player, we’re trying to accomplish a goal."
Anthony Fogarty, right, and Carlos Grillo, left, will be two key additions to the Lansingburgh varsity squad in 2010.
Fogarty will be a major addition for the Knights, but he was already familiar with many of the players before he knew he was transferring.
"These are like childhood friends," Forgarty said. "Most everybody on the team is like childhood friends and that's probably why we’re going to have good chemistry."
In the 7-on-6 tournament, the ball is snapped off a three-foot-tall plastic tee with a built-in 3.7-second sack timer that starts when the ball is lifted. Quarterbacks have just under four seconds to throw the ball before they are ‘sacked,’ which causes a loss of down. First downs were achieved by moving the ball across the 25 and 10-yard lines.
A light-impact event, receivers were ruled down when they were touched by a defender. For tournament director James Ducharme, the varsity head coach at Cohoes, these are the types of events needed in Section II to turn football into a year-round sport that will help put New York State on equal footing with the football powers in the Southern states.
Lansingburgh senior Quincy Michael, a wide receiver and defensive back, figures to be a major contributor for the Knights in 2010.
Ducharme plans to expand the field to 12 teams in 2011, with the top four teams in 2010 – Lansingburgh, Shaker, Schuylerville and Chatham – earning first round byes.
Troy High, a traditional participant in the event, pulled out as a number of Flying Horses seniors wished to compete in the Senior Day Camp being held concurrently at the University at Albany.
Shaker, guided by first-year head coach Greg Sheeler, was arguably the most entertaining team of the day. Ben Capeless, a rising senior, threw the ball deep downfield all day long, leading the Blue Bison to a thrilling triple overtime victory over Chatham in the loser’s bracket semifinals.
"I think we’ll be balanced this year," said Sheeler, who played quarterback at Ithaca College and Gloversville High School. "I think in a competition like this, we’re going to let the kids have fun. We haven’t had too much time on the football field together, so an event like this is good to open it up and let the kids have fun and go get the ball."
With the first day of high school football practice 28 days away, the players have already caught football fever.
"It’s fun to do this because we’re mostly in the weight room year-round, just working," Michael said.
"I got really excited," said Capeless, pictured above. "The last time I was this excited was our last football game. Just seeing the other teams out there…anytime you see a different colored jersey, you want to compete. It’s just a really great feeling."
Pitcher perfect: Quackenbush flawless in Class CC title game
Hoosick Falls High School sophomore pitcher Rachel Quackenbush deals during Wednesday's game against Hoosic Valley in the Section II Class CC championship game. Quackenbush pitched a perfect game and led the Panthers to an 8-0 victory at Clifton Common. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).
It was just another day at the office for Hoosick Falls High School sophomore Rachel Quackenbush.
Quackenbush had something special cooking in the Section II Class CC softball championship game, but her and her Hoosick Falls High School teammates did not recognize it until after the bottom of the fifth inning.
At that point, Quackenbush had faced 15 Hoosic Valley batters and set them all down in order. In the sixth, she struck out the side.
Quackenbush struck out the first two batters she saw in the seventh and up strode Eileen Farrell as the Indians’ last hope for a baserunner. Farrell ripped a line drive to shortstop, but Hoosick Falls senior Jenna Priore was there to make the catch, preserving Quackenbush’s perfect game and a second straight Section II Class CC title for the Panthers in an 8-0 victory at Clifton Common.
Rachel Quackenbush speaks with the media after her perfect game performance against Hoosic Valley.
"I didn’t even know I had a perfect game going until the bottom of the fifth," said Quackenbush. "Then I thought about it and I started getting nervous and I had to buckle down because I had a perfect game going. It’s amazing."
Quackenbush struck out 16 and made two assists in the field in the effort.
For the full story, check out Thursday's edition of The Record.
Hoosic Valley second baseman Chrissy Sanderson watches the ball float in front of her during Wednesday's game against Hoosick Falls.
In three games this year against Hoosic Valley, Quackenbush went 3-0, allowing 0 runs over 21 innings pitched. It's no wonder that coaches from around Section II call her the best pitcher in the area, regardless of her age or classification in which she plays. There aren't many pitchers who could throw a no-hitter, no less a perfect game, with a title on the line for the other team.
There was no secret to her success on Wednesday. She threw it hard - she did mix in a few nasty changeups - and the Hoosic Valley hitters just could not time her up.
"I don’t think she had to throw anything fancy," said Hoosick Falls head coach Charlie Weeden. "When she threw straight heat, they didn’t catch up to it."
Her hot pitching carried a Hoosick Falls team to the New York State Class C Final Four a season ago...but the story in 2010 is that this team can do some damage with the bat.
Junior third baseman Karley Morin went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's championship game.
Morin played right field a season ago, but moved to third base this year.
"This year we put her at third base and she’s played great at third base," Weeden said of Morin. "I think she’s the best third baseman in our league."
For more from Quackenbush and Morin, check out the video in this post.
Jenna Priore, Shelby Jones, Katie Kovage, Marissa Davendonis, Samantha Skott and Alysson Schneider also added base hits for the Panthers in the 10-hit attack.
Hoosic Valley, it should be noted, made an unlikely, yet inspiring, run to the title game. The No. 8 seeded Indians topped No. 1 Lake George in the quarterfinals and beat No. 4 Maple Hill in the semis, setting up a third game against Wasaren League rival Hoosick Falls.
The Indians have a roster of primarily younger players and should be a threat in the Wasaren and in Section II yet again in 2011.
Rachel Quackenbush prepares to throw the ball against Hoosic Valley Wednesday afternoon in Clifton Park.
It was her second perfect game on the varsity level. She also tossed one as an eighth-grader.
No. 2 Hoosick Falls plays Section II Class C champion Duanesburg in Friday's Class CC/C Playoff game, which will be contested at 5 p.m. at Clifton Common. Tickets are $6 and the section-wide awards ceremony will precede the games.
Hoosick Falls won a 1-0 non-league contest over Duanesburg earlier this season. It should be an instant classic between two of Section II's premier programs.
The box score is below. Click on it to see a full-size image.
-- Our Ed Weaver was all over the games at Veeder Park, where Cohoes and Columbia both lost in the semifinal round.
Taconic Hills scored on the international tiebreaker rule in the 10th inning, posting a 1-0 victory over the Tigers.
Taconic Hills' Aleshia Link struck out 16 in the game, and she fanned two in the bottom of the 10th inning to protect the Titans' precarious lead as Cohoes had the game-tying and game-winning runs in scoring position.
"Yeah, they were some tears," said Cohoes sophomore pitcher Courtney Dayter. "We have a five seniors and they felt pretty bad."
"We just didn’t get it done," said Cohoes coach Frank Ryan. "We didn’t hit the whole game. Usually, someone gets a key hit or two but not today."
“You get a runner on second, you bunt her over and you hope something happens,” said Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan. “You score and then they have the same scenario. You gave them a run and now we’re going to try to give you a run. It’s not like you really earn the run. I’d rather just play, myself.”
Not that Ryan was blaming Wednesday's loss on the rule at all....I just found it ironic that his team was the first to lose a game with the rule in effect this postseason.
Taconic Hills and Mechanicville should be a great game on Friday.
-- Bethlehem beat Columbia, winning the season series 2-1, and advancing to the Section II Class AA title game against upstart Colonie with a 3-1 victory over the Blue Devils
"We haven’t been in the finals in over 10 years," said a jubilant Bethlehem coach Karen Gentile, who also added the school last won a Section II softball title 31 years ago.
The Eagles scored twice in the second inning, as McKenzie Pezza doubled home one run and scored on Kat Rice’s single against Columbia ace Jena Servidone. They added another run in the fourth.
"Jena pitched very well," Columbia coach Gary Holtz said. "That one inning, they put some people on and that was it. They’re very good at (producing runs) and they work very hard at it."
For the full story on both of those games, check out Thursday's edition of The Record.
Section II softball championship games
Friday, June 4 All games at Clifton Common at 5:15 p.m. following Section II awards ceremony Admission is $6 Class AA
Tigers roar into semis; Crusaders blanked by 'Toga; Friday's softball roundup
Cohoes and Catholic Central's softball teams competed in Section II quarterfinal action Thursday afternoon at Veeder Park. The Tigers will be moving on, but the Crusaders saw their fine 2010 season come to an end against Saratoga Springs.
Cohoes first baseman Courtney Laughlin made a number of scoops defensively and also drove in a big insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning in Cohoes' 2-1 victory over Granville. (All photos by Will Montgomery - The Record).
COLONIE - The Cohoes Tigers had been waiting all game for the big hit and Bailei Tetrault delivered.
Tetrault, Cohoes’ junior second baseman, ripped a scorching triple over the third base bag with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning in Wednesday’s Section II Class B quarterfinal game against Granville.
Alex Remillard followed with a single to right that scored Tetrault for the game’s first run. After a sacrifice bunt by Nicole McOmber that moved Remillard to second base, Courtney Laughlin smacked a double to right center field that sent Remillard across home plate for an insurance run.
In the top of the seventh, Cohoes’ Courtney Dayter quickly recorded two outs, but the Golden Horde did not go down quietly. Lauren Zoristoski singled to left field, moved to second on an error and took third when the throw from the outfield came in behind her.
Darian Chapman followed with an RBI single, but Dayter got Granville pitcher Chelsea Lyons to fly out to center field to end the game, a 2-1 victory for Cohoes at Veeder Park.
No. 2 seed Cohoes (15-5) advances to face No. 3 Taconic Hills (17-2) and two-time defending Patroon Conference MVP pitcher Aleshia Link in Tuesday’s Section II Class B semifinal at Veeder Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Cohoes center fielder Alex Remillard caught the final out in Cohoes' 2-1 victory over Granville. She also drove in the game's first run in the bottom of the sixth.
"It was a playoff game and we knew we had to step it up," Laughlin said. "Once Bailei hit that triple, we were just fired up from there. That was a big thing. Once she got that triple, that was huge."
Granville’s Lyons basically baffled the Cohoes lineup for the first five innings, scattering two hits in the first two innings and retiring nine straight in the third, fourth and fifth. The Tigers, however, adjusted to the left-hander’s pitches and Tetrault pounced on a pitch on the inside half of the plate on a 1-0 count.
"I think it just took a while to catch on to it," said Laughlin. "And she was throwing them low."
Cohoes was playing the game without its starting shortstop and left fielder, but the Tigers’ defense was impressive nonetheless.
Danielle Beauchamp, who had never played shortstop before, filled in for Shana Cooper, who injured her left ankle in Monday’s non-league game against Colonie. Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan hopes that Cooper will be able to return by Tuesday’s game against Patroon Conference regular season champion Taconic Hills.
"She (Beauchamp) plays right field and pitches," Ryan said. "She never played there before. She did a very, very good job."
Cohoes’ infield defense was perfect – the Tigers made an error in the outfield in the seventh inning that resulted in Granville’s lone run being scored – helped in large part by the scoops made at first base by Laughlin.
"Our defense is top-notch, always," Laughlin said. "We always have the defense and then the bats come alive. Mr. Ryan always says defense is going to win your games."
It’s certainly an exciting time of year for the Remillard family of Cohoes. Alex’s cousins, Zach and Will Remillard, compete for the La Salle Institute baseball team, which has also advanced to the semifinal round of the playoffs.
"It’s awesome," Alex Remillard said. "They’re doing really well."
Catholic Central senior catcher Kirstan Buchan was all smiles after Thursday's game against Saratoga Springs, looking back at a wildly successful 2010 season for the Crusaders.
COLONIE - Sometimes you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you.
That was the message Catholic Central High School softball coach Jack O’Grady left for his team on a piece of dry-erase board prior to Thursday’s Section II Class AA quarterfinal against No. 5 Saratoga Springs.
Blue Streaks ace Alyson Onyon wound up being unbearably tough to hit, as she struck out 14 Lady Crusaders and drove in the game’s only run in a 1-0 victory at Veeder Park.
Onyon, the Cornell University-bound senior, was perfect through three innings and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. She finished the two-hitter – with no walks – on 86 pitches.
Catholic Central (17-4), the No. 4 seed in the tournament, sent its ace, Maddie Coneys to the circle for the second straight day. Coneys allowed far more baserunners than Onyon – Saratoga recorded four hits and five walks – but she worked out of jams every time save for the third inning.
Saratoga’s Nicole Colamaria reached on a single to lead off the inning and scored on a bases-loaded walk issued to Onyon with no out. Coneys used a pair of fielder’s choices and a strikeout to escape otherwise unharmed. But with Onyon in the circle, that was all the offense the Blue Streaks needed.
Saratoga (13-6) will face No. 9 Colonie (12-8) in the Class AA semifinals Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Adirondack Sports Dome in Queensbury.
Still, it was a banner season for Catholic Central, which won the Big 10 Conference regular season title and the Uncle Sam Tournament.
"This is the best team I’ve played on and I’ve been playing since seventh grade," said senior catcher Kirstan Buchan. "This is the most talented infield and outfield and we all clicked perfectly and we all enjoyed our company no matter who was winning or losing."
Buchan will play at Southern Vermont College next year and she knows the CCHS pitching staff will be hard-pressed to find a replacement behind the plate.
"I’m going to miss them," Buchan said. "I’ve been with Maddie since she’s been playing."
Catholic Central junior pitcher Maddie Coneys, the 2010 Big 10 Conference MVP, throws a pitch to Saratoga Springs' Meagan Fleming during Thursday's game.
Here is Friday's Section II softball roundup.
Class AA Columbia 7, Queensbury 0: Jena Servidone allowed just a leadoff single back up the middle in the sixth as the Blue Devils (17-4) advanced to take on Bethlehem in the semifinals on Tuesday. Servidone also had two hits and scored two runs, while Anna Carey had three hits and drove in three runs. Dani Bell had the lone hit for the Spartans (14-7). Bethlehem 5, Shaker 1: Toni Edwards struck out 12, McKenzie Pezze had two hits and Meghan Burns drove in two runs for the Eagles (18-3). Taylor Guerin hit a double for the Blue Bison. Colonie 3, Shenendehowa 1: The Lady Plainsmen, the No. 1 seed and undefeated at 20-0 coming into the game, fell to No. 9 Colonie in a quarterfinal round shocker. Class A Burnt Hills 4, Lansingburgh 1: Emily Ostrom tossed a four-hitter as the sixth-seeded Spartans upended the third-seeded and defending sectional champion Knights in a quarterfinal at Veeder Park in Colonie. Sam Woitkowski pitched a five-hitter for Lansingburgh and Kayla Cole and Meg Volz each doubled. Averill Park 3, Glens Falls 0: The Warriors, the No. 5 seed, upset No. 4 Glens Falls in the Section II Class A quarterfinals. Averill Park will face No. 1 South Glens Falls in Tuesday’s Class A semifinal. Ichabod Crane 3, Mohonasen 2: The Riders, the No. 2 seed, earned a date with Burnt Hills in the semifinals. Class B Mechanicville 12, Fonda-Fultonville 0: In a preview of a future Colonial Council rivalry, Mechanicville’s Anna Arceneaux struck out 12 in a one-hitter performance in the circle. Arceneaux, a junior, added a solo home run in the first inning in the Class B quarterfinal victory for the No. 1 seeded Red Raiders. Aubrey Moore went 4-for-4 with four RBI and Andrea Mastropietro added a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Schuylerville 3, Hudson Falls 0: Mikayla Wells was 4-for-4 as the Black Horses stampeded into the semifinals, where the face top-seeded Mechanicville. Taconic Hills 4, Schalmont 1: Aleshia Link struck out 16 on the mound for the Titans (18-2). Class D Argyle 3, Whitehall 0: Krista Depew pitched a one-hitter, striking out 18 to pace the fourth-seeded Scots (11-5) to an opening-round victory. Fort Ann 8, Sharon Springs 0: Fort Ann, the No. 3 seed, moved on in Class D.
-- There has been yet another series of changes made to the Section II softball brackets. It really has been a problem for everyone. The committee keeps calling it "Vedder Park" and I overheard complaints from nearly everyone who can't find the place because that is not its name. Anywho.
Time changes for Tuesday, June 1 semifinal games:
Adirondack Sports Complex AA- Saratoga/Colonie 5:00 field 4 A So Glens Falls/Averill Park- 4:15 field 2 B Mechanicville/ Schuylerville 5:30 field 1 D Ft.Ann/Hartford 3:45 field 1
Veeder Park, Colonie AA- Columbia/Bethlehem- 3:45 field 5 A- Burnt Hills/ Ichabod Crane- 3:45 field 4 B - Cohoes/ Taconic Hills 4:15 field 2 D - Germantown/Argyle 4:15 field 3
Mechanicville wins second straight Colonial Council title
Mechanicville's softball team won a second straight Colonial Council title the old-fashioned way Friday afternoon. Strong defense and pitching held up an offensive effort that feasted on Cohoes mistakes in the 5-2 victory for the Red Raiders.
Mechanicville's sophomore third baseman Alysa Russell fires a throw toward first base during Friday's Colonial Council championship game at Cohoes. Russell singled and scored to spark the Raiders' attack in the first inning. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).
Mechanicville head coach Don Arceneaux urged his players to get a quick start and they took that message to heart.
Alysa Russell led off the game with a single to left field and Abby Maiello and Anna Arceneaux followed with bunts. An error and a wild pitch later, the Red Raiders were ahead by two runs and never looked back, posting a 5-2 victory at Cohoes High School.
It was the Red Raiders' second straight Colonial Council title and the first in the league's new two-division format.
The No. 1 ranked Class B team in the state hosts a scrimmage tournament with some of the best teams from around Section II Saturday afternoon.
Mechanicville pitcher Anna Arceneaux twists through her windup during Friday's game against Cohoes. She allowed nine hits but struck out eight in the win.
Cohoes' hitters made it tough on Arceneaux. The Tigers smashed nine hits, but left eight men, or, well, girls, on base. Arceneaux ended the first, second and third innings with a strikeout to work out of a jam each time. (For a K-by-K sequence, watch the video below).
She also consistently found the strike zone, getting the aggressive Cohoes hitters to make outs on the first pitch for the first and second outs of the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.
Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan didn't mind the lack of patience at all, because he's always preaching aggressive behavior in the box, especially against a pitcher of Arceneaux's caliber.
"That’s our philosophy," Ryan said. "She (Arceneaux) doesn’t give you anything good to hit. We work on swinging at things they like."
Cohoes shortstop Shana Cooper makes a throw to first base during Friday's game against Mechanicville.
Cohoes' Courtney Gumprecht had a great day at the plate. She drove in a run on a fourth inning single, bringing the Tigers within one at 2-1.
She crushed a ball to left field in the sixth, scampering around the bases for a home run.
Gumprecht hit in the No. 7 spot in the order, but look for her position to rise in the postseason as Ryan continues to tweak the lineup to find the best balance of players that can get on base and those that can drive them in.
Abby Maiello makes a throw to first for the Red Raiders. Maiello, a first team All-Area center fielder for The Record in 2009, has shifted to second base following the broken bone suffered by regular first baseman Joelle DiDomenico.
The players on both sides certainly took this game very seriously. Many of the Cohoes players were disconsolate after the game, while the Mechanicville players jumped for joy after Shannon McBride caught a popup for the final out of the game.
Following the game, former Cohoes pitcher Courtney Galuski, who now plays at the College of Saint Rose, took the time to talk with current Cohoes pitcher Courtney Dayter and Frank Ryan in the pitching circle.
Dayter, a sophomore, and Arceneaux, a junior, proved to be the two best pitchers in the Colonial this season and they'll both be back next year.
Mechanicville shortstop Shannon McBride (above) and pitcher Anna Arceneaux (below) were all smiles after winning a second straight Colonial Council championship. (vidcaps by Will Montgomery).
Was this a Section II Class B championship game preview? Sound off in the comments or drop by our sectional preview chat Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.
Taconic Hills will join these two in the top three seeds - but it looks like a 16-team field in Class B this year, which means the winner will have to survive four elimination rounds to hoist the Section II trophy.
Do you think Cohoes, which has lost twice to Mechanicville, could beat the Raiders on any given day? Or is Mechanicville just unbeatable in the section this year?
Cohoes shortstop Shana Cooper catches a pop-up as teammate Katrina Miller (11) looks on during Wednesday's Colonial Council game against Lansingburgh. Cohoes won, 6-2. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).
Wednesday morning's rain made the fields at Knickerbacker Park unplayable, so Lansingburgh took the show on the road to play at Cohoes High.
Cohoes' Courtney Dayter, making her third start in as many days, was effective for the Tigers, striking out eight and allowing two runs over seven innings.
Lansingburgh's Sam Woitkoski also had hitters off-balance, but she walked five and allowed six runs - none of them, however, were earned - in a 6-2 Cohoes victory.
"There are three things we really work on 24-7," Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan said. "Good pitching - which we get from Courtney - timely hitting and good defense. We work hard on our defense and that paid off today."
Cohoes sophomore catcher Courtney Gumprecht is all smiles, as she drove in two runs for the Tigers in Wednesday's win over Lansingburgh.
Gumprecht's two-run double in the second inning gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
"I was in a slump before," Gumprecht said. "Like against Voorheesville, I went 0-for-4. "I just took a deep breath and got my hitting back."
Lansingburgh third baseman Kayla Cole attempts to make a catch in front of the Lady Knights' bench during Wednesday's game.
Meg Volz had three hits for the Lady Knights, who know they'll have to clean up their defense before the Section II Class A playoffs start two weeks from now. Lansingburgh is the defending Section II champion.
"You never know what’s going to happen in a game, but you’re supposed to be able to know that you can play good defense and give it a consistent game day in and day out," Lansingburgh head coach John Cipperly said. "So that’s the part we have to fix between now and sectionals. We’ve had some days that have been very good defensively and we told them that we know they can do better and they know they can do better than they did."
Cohoes pitcher Courtney Dayter delivers during Wednesday's game against Lansingburgh. Once again, Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan lauded his sophomore hurler for her toughness.
The big-picture result of this game is that the Colonial Council's crossover "championship game" has been set. Patriot Division champion Mechanicville will face Liberty Division champion Cohoes on Friday, May 21. Game time and location are still to be determined.
Lansingburgh is on pace to play Schalmont on Saturday as part of the league's crossover finale weekend.
Colonial Council
Patriot Division Mechanicville, 10-0, 12-2 Schalmont, 5-6, 7-7 Cobleskill, 2-7, 2-7 Albany Academy for Girls, 1-7, 1-7 Watervliet, 1-7, 2-7
In a clash between two teams with 7-0 records in Colonial Council action, Mechanicville prevailed, posting a 2-1 softball victory over Cohoes Wednesday afternoon.
Mechanicville High School's senior shortstop, Shannon McBride, is caught stealing third base in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game at DeCrescente Fields in Mechanicville. Cohoes' Nicole McOmber applies the tag. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).
As good as Courtney Dayter pitched for Cohoes Wednesday afternoon, one throwing error did her in against two-time defending state champion Mechanicville.
Dayter worked out of trouble with a runner in scoring position in the first and second innings (also later in the fourth and sixth) but was tripped up in the third inning. Dayter allowed a leadoff walk to Mechanicville's M-K Malone and Alysa Russell followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt down the third base line. Dayter fielded and spun to fire to first, but the ball was high and Malone scored with Russell advancing to second base.
Kelsey Hines hit an RBI single later in the inning, which was all the offense the Red Raiders would need behind Anna Arceneaux, who struck out nine in seven strong innings of work.
"The one thing about this team that I’ve come to realize over the last few years is that there are a lot of ways that they can win," said Mechanicville head coach Don Arceneaux of his two-time defending state championship club. "They can win in many different ways. They can play ‘D,’ they can hit, they can bunt and they can run."
Courtney Dayter, Cohoes' sophomore pitcher, throws a pitch during Wednesday's game against Mechanicville. She worked out of trouble with a runner in scoring position without allowing a run in four of the six innings she pitched.
Cohoes head coach Frank Ryan was impressed by the effort put forth by Dayter, comparing her to a former Cohoes star now playing at the College of Saint Rose.
"She has a lot of guts, that girl," Ryan said. "She doesn’t back down from anybody. She reminds me so much of Courtney Galuski. She really does. She’s fearless. She wants to pitch every day against everybody."
The Cohoes hitters made good contact, but old-fashioned at-'em balls in the seventh inning helped Arceneaux close out the 2-1 victory.
"That’s part of the game," Ryan said. "They weren’t in the gaps, they weren’t between people. We hit it hard, so it wasn’t like we weren’t hitting her. What are you going to do? We did the best we can."
Mechanicville junior Anna Arceneaux deals during Wednesday's game. She struck out nine and allowed one run on four hits and one walk.
Mechanicville didn't play its sharpest game ever, but the Red Raiders still showed why they're a perennial state title contender. They made the most of a Cohoes mistake and they made just one themselves in the field. The Red Raiders could have scored more runs if not for Dayter finding ways to get out of one jam after another.
Cohoes, which returns the entire infield from its 2009 squad, hopes to play Mechanicville again in the Section II Class B playoffs, if not sooner.
"They’re our main competitor in the league and we work hard just to beat them every year," Dayter said. "We came in here both with equal records and they came out on top today, but we’ll get them again later."
The Colonial Council has shifted to a two-division format this season, meaning this was the only time these teams will meet during the regular season. Following the regular season, however, the top teams will play their counterpart from the other division in a de facto league championship game.
Dayter had the date on the tip of her tongue.
"May 21," she said. "We’re excited to play them again and next time we want to come out on top."
A rematch is not yet official. Mechanicville looks like a lock to win its division, but Cohoes will need to hold off Lansingburgh to clinch its division title.
Lansingburgh and Cohoes will play on Wednesday, May 12.
For the full story, check out Thursday's edition of The Record.
Lansingburgh High School sophomore Ryan McGrath, seen here rounding the bases in a 2009 game, hit a home run Monday in a Colonial Council victory over Cohoes. (Photo by J.S. Carras - The Record).
COHOES - T.J. McLaughlin and Tyler Giller locked up in a pretty good pitcher’s duel on Monday. McLaughlin allowed just two hits and struck out nine as the Lansingburgh baseball team took down Cohoes, 3-1, in a Colonial Council matchup. Ryan McGrath supplied the offense for the Knights (1-0, 1-3), falling just a triple shy of the cycle and driving in two runs. His first inning, two-run home run was all the Knights needed behind McLaughlin. Frank Castiglione also added two hits for Lansingburgh. Josh LeMay and Kyle Farley both doubled for the only two hits the Tigers (0-1, 0-2) could muster. Schalmont 6, Watervliet 1: Joe Amorosi tossed a three-hitter and struck out 13 as the Sabres (1-0, 2-1) posted the Colonial Council victory. Joe Paskevich hit two home runs and drove in three for Schalmont. Kevin Pontore hit a solo home run for the Cannoneers (0-1, 0-2). Cobleskill 4, Ravena 3: Scott Knoxson earned a complete game victory and added a double and a stolen base on the offensive side as the Bulldogs (1-0, 1-1) posted a Colonial Council victory. Ravena dropped to 0-1 in the league and is 0-3 overall. La Salle 10, Catholic Central 9 (9 innings): Dave Roseboom pitched a complete game and added a triple, a double and four RBI at the plate in the Cadets’ (1-0, 3-0) Big 10 Conference opener. Catholic Central’s Nolan Driscoll hit a rare home run for the Crusaders at spacious Knickerbacker Park. Brent Fenton added three hits and Jack LeRoux chipped in with a pair of hits for the Crusaders (0-1, 3-2). Schenectady 16, Bishop Maginn 1: Justin Vachon doubled twice, singled twice and drove in five runs for the Patriots in a Big 10 victory over the Golden Griffins. Dylan Tully doubled and scored a run for Maginn (0-1, 0-4). CBA 12, Bishop Gibbons 0: Casey McPartlon was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle, driving in three runs for the Brothers in a Big 10 victory over Bishop Gibbons (0-1, 0-1). Max Nagelsmith and Dennis Buckley added two doubles apiece for CBA (1-0, 2-0). Hoosick Falls 7, Hoosic Valley 2: Mike Brewster doubled, singled and drove in a pair of runs and James Lynch also drove in two runs for the Panthers (1-0, 3-0) in a Wasaren League victory. Jarod Ford singled four times and drove in a run for Hoosic Valley (0-1, 1-2). Tamarac 8, Stillwater 4: The Bengals (1-0, 2-2) got a big five-run sixth inning to take down the Warriors (0-1, 1-1). Senior right-hander Jon Matala struck out 11 and pitched a complete game for Tamarac, while driving in two runs. Brady Talbot also drove in two runs, scored twice and had two hits for the Bengals. Logan King singled twice for Stillwater. Greenwich 11, Granville 3: Neil Fryer struck out 15 and improved to 3-0 on the young season for the Witches (1-0, 4-1). Chad Niles added three hits, including a two-run home run for Greenwich. Jason Osborne went 4-for-4 with a home run for the Golden Horde (0-1, 3-1). Softball Hoosick Falls 3, Hoosic Valley 0: Rachel Quackenbush struck out 17 and Katie Kovage went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI for the Panthers (1-0, 3-0). Stillwater 1, Tamarac 0: Mikayla Moore (seven strikeouts) of Schuylerville and Tamarac’s Amber Gokey (six strikeouts) each allowed just four hits, but the Warriors (1-0, 2-0) picked up the winning run in the fourth inning. Tegan Fox finished with three singles for the Bengals (0-1, 2-1). Claire DeLota tripled for Stillwater. Catholic Central 4, Shaker 3: Maddie Coneys struck out seven and allowed one hit as the Crusaders (1-0) posted the win. Hannah Kutny and Amanda Case both knocked doubles for Catholic Central. Loudonville Christian 20, Heatly 0 (5): Chelsea Wagner drove in three runs as did Valerie King in the big win for the Eagles (1-0). Boys Lacrosse Niskayuna 16, Saratoga 5: Brian Schlankser scored three goals and added three assists for the Silver Warriors (2-0, 2-1). Girls Lacrosse Emma Willard 16, Schenectady 7: Noelle Ohanesian scored five goals and Sarah Ohanesian added four for the Jesters (1-0, 1-1) in a Capital District Women’s Lacrosse League victory over the Patriots (0-1). Kia Ference scored a team-high four goals for the Patriots. Boys Tennis Maple Hill 6, Chatham 1: The Wildcats won both doubles matches and easily took the match.
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