Talking sports

‘We’ve got to get it swinging!’

By TED WADDELL
Posted 6/7/23

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In the May 22 opening round of the varsity softball sectionals, the Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs, from the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association, faced the Lady …

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Talking sports

‘We’ve got to get it swinging!’

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JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In the May 22 opening round of the varsity softball sectionals, the Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs, from the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association, faced the Lady Blazers of Millbrook from the Mid-Hudson Athletic League.

After the first frame, the score was tied 1-1, but then the home team posted 2 runs in the second and added a run in the bottom of the sixth to put them ahead going into the top of the seventh inning.

The Lady Blazers (3-9) staged a flurry of hits equal to runs at their turn at bat to tie it up 4-4, forcing the game into extra frames.

But after Millbrook failed to score in the 8th, Sullivan West (8-8) scored the winning run. Kaitlyn Drobysh singled, Georgeanne Cardona walked, and ace pitcher Liz Reeves singled to right field, driving in Drobysh for the winning 5-4 run, followed by Cardona, whose score didn’t officially count.

On the mound, Sullivan West’s Elizabeth Reeves pitched 8 innings, allowing 4 runs on 10 hits, while Millbrook’s Shannon Grey hurled 7.2 frames, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits.

With the late-game victory in a clutch inning, Sullivan West was poised to battle the Pine Plains Bombers in the sectionals on May 24, with the finals set for May 26 at Middletown High School.

“The progression of the team and their relationships on and off the field, the pitcher/catcher combo was great,” said Blazers coach Michelle Traudt. “Our record doesn’t it show it, but we are one of the best in the league.”

Millbrook pitcher Shannon Grey said, “Leading the team was a blessing. I love the team that was behind me… I am super happy that I was their pitcher.”

Blazers catcher Dani Heady, in her first season after switching to softball from baseball, said, “It was special, a different relationship with the girls, than the boys.”

“This was an exciting group of kids, a great ending,” said Anthony Durkin, coach of the Lady Bulldogs, after the win. Of his starting hurler, Liz Reeves, he added, “Number Two has been solid all year, and I didn’t expect anything less of her.”

On the eve of heading off to the semis, Reeves, a 16-year-old junior, commented on the season, “I think we had some ups and downs, spots where we could have done better, and spots where I’m really proud of the team.”

And of pulling the ever-elusive rabbit out of the batting helmet in the 8th, Reeves said, “We held them in the bottom of the seventh, and going into the eighth, I told them we’ve got to get it swinging!”

Sectionals totals

On May 24, the Lady Bulldogs faced the Lady Bombers of Pine Plains in the sectional-semi. They were blanked 7-0, thus drawing the curtain on their season of softball swats.

Pine Plains posted 4 runs in the first frame, and added 3 more in the fifth.

Their pitcher, Lindsey Farinaccio, allowed 1 hit by Sullivan West’s Elaine Herbert, while Sullivan West’s hurler Liz Reeves yielded 9 hits.

The Lady Bulldogs’ squad is helmed by a trio of coaches: Anthony Durkin, Kurt Scheibe and Mike Ellmauer.

In summing up the season, Scheibe said, “They were a great group to coach—everyone pulling for the team to succeed. A very enjoyable season.”

softball, Sullivan West, Lady Bulldogs, Lady Blazers, Millbrook

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