by Steve Bradley
The Hoosick Falls Lady Panther softball team finished the regular season late last week with a 14 – 6 record. Of special note, at the end of the regular season, senior pitcher Rachel Quackenbush had a strikeout total of 1,482. In the New York State record books, this would put her in second place all time. The number one total, set in 2008, is 1,603. Rachel has signed to play for the Division I Siena Saints softball squad.
On Wednesday, May 23, the team moved into Class C Sectional play. On a beautiful day, the fourth seeded Panthers faced 13th seed Canajoharie on the HFCS diamond, coming away with a 18 – 0 five inning, mercy rule win.
The Ladies wasted little time in getting all over their opponents. The offense had runners going around the bases at a rate not seen all season. Rachel Quackenbush and Frankie Pearson both hit over the fence home runs. It was Pearson’s first ever, and everyone was excited about that.
Rachel Quackenbush fired a no-hitter. She was one pitch away from a perfect game. A Canajoharie batter swung at a forehead high pitch, making a very difficult catch for catcher Erica Quackenbush. Since the swing made the pitch a third strike, the runner was able to get to first before Erica could track down the ball and throw it to first base.
The Ladies will be back in action this Friday on the HFCS field. They will face archrival Greenwich for the third time this season. HF has taken both previous games, and the team is looking for a sweep. Game time is 4 pm.
