Some results and thoughts from Monday

I had a chance to catch action at ICC on Monday, and the baseball and softball games provided two thrilling contests and also the last time, at least for a very long time, that these two schools would meet in Patroon Conference action, with ICC moving out of the league next year.

SOFTBALL

Chatham at Ichabod Crane

This game was important for two reasons, Chatham could really use a big win over one of the top 2 teams in the league heading towards sectionals and for the Riders, a loss here would have meant they'd have to defeat TH twice later in the week to earn a share of the league crown.

Chatham struck first off sophomore left hander Jess Van Alphen when Karsyn Sawyer drove in Courtney Mesick in the first inning but Van Alphen settled in after that first inning and shut down the young Panthers offense.

Kayla Doty was in control much of the game for Chatham but in the sixth ICC finally got to the freshman and were able to plate two runs after a single, a bunt single over the head of the charging infielders and then a two run double.

This win keeps the Riders hope for an outright league title alive when they host Taconic Hills on Wednesday. A Titans win would give them a crown, a Rider win would put everything on the line in their Friday showdown in Craryville.

Van Alphen and Doty each went the distance and gave up five hits while Van Alphen struck out 8 to Doty's 7. At the plate Van Alphen helped herself from the leadoff spot picking up three hits. Chatham got offensive contributions from their big three of Sawyer, Mesick and lone senior Aimee Palleschi.

Hudson at Cairo Durham

Hudson has been very inconsistent this year, which is not a big change from the past few years even with a new coach. The Bluehawks have plenty of talent both at the plate and in the field but have struggled to put it all together. A big key for Hudson is beating the teams they are supposed to beat and on Monday they took care of that, defeating Cairo 3-0.

Emily Gaylord has been handling the pitching duties all season for Hudson and this was no different as she went the distance giving up just two hits to the one win Mustangs while striking out seven.

Hudson picked up just four hits in the win, but used those hits and three walks to score three runs. Catherine Sundheim picked up two hits for the Bluehawks while scoring a run and Lindsey Garafalo who has been the catalyst at the plate for Hudson drove in one.

Taconic Hills at Troy

While the rest of the Patroon Conference was busy with league play the Titans took advantage of their off day by playing a non league game at Troy. Playing against a larger school didn't hinder the Class B Titans as they took care of Troy 4-1.

Taconic Hills took the lead with two runs in the second inning and added another in the third before Troy struck for their only run of the game in the bottom of the third. In the sixth the Titans added the final run of the game. Aleshia Link showed she can be just as dominant outside of the league as she can in it, as she went 7 innings giving up just 3 hits, all singles, and 2 walks while striking out impressive 20 batters.

At the plate Alexis McComb picked up 2 hits including the game's only extra base hit with a triple while driving in 2 runs and scoring 1. Aleshia Link also picked up 2 hits while scoring 2 runs and Nicole Torchia added a pair of hits and a run. Alicia Kostszewski added a hit and a run while Janine Ham drove in one. Elysse DeRuzzio and Michelle Link each picked up a single apiece.

Germantown at Loudonville Christian

In a battle for sole possession of first place in the C.H.V.L. the Clippers defeated the only team to top them in the league this year behind the pitching performance of junior lefty Carissa Phillips. Phillips has not played a game this year until Monday when she took the mound and hurled a 2 hitter while striking out 6 in an 8-0 Clippers win.

Linda Gerlach picked up 3 hits for Germantown while both Lauren Fix and Patti Cameron had a pair of hits. One of Fix's two hits was a two run home run as well.

BASEBALL

Chatham at Ichabod Crane

ICC remained undefeated in the league with just games left after again coming from behind and defeating Chatham. Last week the Riders mounted a massive and improbable come back in Chatham and although Monday the deficit was only one, the come back was just as satisfying as the Riders won 2-1.

Chatham got on the board first scoring a run after in the third inning but ICC quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning when Josh Ingham was driven home by Derick Horn. The score remained knotted at one until Ingham again scored, this time being brought home by Alex Mastrianni.

Mastrianni went the distance for ICC giving up only 2 hits, a double to Nick Shaw and a single to Trevor Madsen, and an unearned run while striking out 6. Cody Hall went the distance for Chatham giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks while striking out 3.

At the plate Derick Horn picked up 2 hits and an RBI, Mastrianni had a hit and an RBI while Ingham had a hit and 2 runs scored in the win.

Hudson at Cairo Durham

Most expected the Hudson-Cairo game on Monday to be a close and hotly contested match up on Monday but the game did not live up to expectations as the Mustangs blew out Hudson 18-0. Hudson managed just 5 hits in the game.

Seniors Alex Ebel, Brad Holmes, Gareth Hobson and junior Nick Louckes combined on the hill for Hudson giving up 18 runs on 18 hits and 9 walks while striking out 6. All 5 of Hudson's hits on the day were singles and by five different players Talib Barksdale, Ryan Clark, Brad Holmes, Chris Parmentier and Jack Rigos.

Germantown at Loudonville Christian

The Clippers moved to 13-0 in the C.H.V.L. after an 8-6 win over Loudonville Christian on Monday. Thomas Griffin led the offense with 3 hits but the Clippers used a well balanced attack to score those eight runs. Class D seems very strong this year the but Clippers have to be considered one of the more dangerous teams heading towards sectionals.

On the hill Larry Niebling went 6 innings giving up 6 hits, only 3 earned, on 7 hits and 5 walks while striking out 3. Cody Broast pitched the last inning and earned the save.