Classic battle as ICC outlasts Titans in extra innings

The Wednesday showdown between ICC and Taconic Hills was a rematch of a classic battle in Valatie last year and this year's game had even more on the line then just revenge for the Riders. A Titans win over ICC on Wednesday would give them the league title outright, while a Rider win Wednesday, would set up a showdown for all the marbles between these two teams on Friday in Craryville.

The game featured two dominant pitchers in senior Aleshia Link for Taconic Hills, the league's reigning MVP, and sophomore Erin Wadsworth for ICC. Although everyone knew pitching would be the key to this game, it ony took one inning to know neither ace would throw a no hitter and someone would have to come through at the plate. Kailynn Keeler broke up the Rider no-no in the top of the first with a two out double and in the bottom of the first Jenna Smith picked up a two out single, but neither hit resulted in a run.

Each team added singles in the second but again the runners were stranded. In the third the pitchers both retired their opponents 1-2-3 and in the fourth each team put a runner on, but again neither team could push a run across the plate.

In the fifth the Titans came the closest yet to plating the game's first run when Alexis McComb led off with a single but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice that allowed Michelle Link to reach base. Nicole Havlik followed up with a single of her own to put two on with just one out but the next ball was belted into right field where it was caught by Jess Van Alphen. Van Alphen then threw to third in hopes of gunning down Link who had tagged up from second, but while her throw was too late, third baseman Sarah Wheeler quickly scooped up the ball and threw down to second, catching Havlik attempting to get into scoring position and to end the threat.

The game remained knotted at zero heading into the bottom half of the inning when Lindsey Drumm reached base on an error. With one on and no outs the Riders looked to be in great position but the next batter struck out before Sarah Wheeler reached on a walk. The next two batters popped out and struck out to send the game into extra innings.

Wadsworth sat down the Titans in order in the top of the eighth and that was the last work she would have to do as her team came through in the bottom half of the inning. Reychel Webster led off with an infield single and stole second before an infield pop out. With one out Rider captain and senior leader Becca Smith stepped to the plate and belted a line drive into center field bringing Webster around for the game's lone run in a 1-0 Ichabod Crane win.

The win means both teams now sit with a loss apiece with one league game remaining, Friday, at Taconic Hills against each other with the league title on the line.