GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — “I thought they played hard, and the girls had good chemistry,” said Kim Costa, coach of the Lady Bears of Tri-Valley varsity softball team (3-1). She was speaking in the wake of the Lady Bears’ 13-6 victory over the Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs in the home conference game at the Town of Neversink Community Park on April 21.

“We had good skills, and the other team fought hard as well,” she added.

Sullivan West led off with 1 run in the opening frame, added 3 in the second, and wrapped up their batting attack with 2 runs in the top of the seventh.

Elizabeth Reeves was on the mound for the Lady Bulldogs (1-3), going 2-for-4 with 2 singles, while Georgeanne Cardona hit a double and Elaine Herbert posted a single.

Tri-Valley’s Jenna Carmody threw for 7 innings, giving up 5 hits. She then went 2-for-3, scored 2 runs, 3 RBIs and 3 purloined bases.

Daniella Bell went 3-for-4, with 2 doubles and a triple, scored 2 runs and posted 2 RBIs. Emily Rusin went 2-for-3, scored twice and earned a stolen base. Riley Kelly had a double, scored 2 and had an RBI; Sierra Mckelson went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and 4 RBIs; and Jordan Dymond and Clare Verbert each posted a hit and a stolen base.

Anthony Durkin, coach of the Lady Bulldogs softball swatters, said the main goal this year is “maturing as a team.” He noted that the seniors (Elaine Herbert, Georgeanne Cardona, Cheyenne Decker, Lucy Arzilli, Hannah Abplanalp and Brianna Haass), are joined by a few juniors, two freshmen and an eighth-grader, but no sophomores. They are “at very different levels.”

Asked about her goals for the season, Coach Costa replied, “Win the sectionals and the championship.”