The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Sports Outdoors

GLSP Morning Bird Walk To Dickinson Hill Fire Tower

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Join local birder Mary Batcheller for a morning walk through the park’s forests on Saturday May 30, ending with spectacular views from the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower. The hike will meet at 7:30 am at the North Long Pond parking lot, accessible via the park’s winter entrance.

Mary Batcheller is an excellent guide for beginning birders, so feel free to look, listen and learn or to come share your own birding knowledge.  The hike will travel along 1.5 miles of the old Fire Tower Road, through Northern Hardwood and Beech-Maple forest communities.  Participants will have a chance to practice birding by ear thanks to the dense foliage along the trail, but binoculars are definitely recommended equipment.

Meet at North Long Pond parking lot within Grafton Lakes State Park. (Please do not park along Fire Tower Road as you will miss the group and there is no parking).  Pre-registration requested: 279-1155.

The Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park restored the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower over several years, with hours of volunteering and community donations. It provides views of the Taconics, Berkshires, and Adirondacks for those who climb its eighty sturdy steps.  Visitors are welcome to hike to the tower from the North Long Pond Road trailhead during state park hours 8 am until dusk.

Wood Memorial Road Race’s Thirtieth Year Proceeds Earmarked For Town Of Hoosick Community Pool

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by Alex Brooks

The thirtieth running of the Wood Memorial Road Race was held on Saturday, May 16. It was good weather for running, not too warm, with overcast skies. A full complement of Lions Club members and Fire Department volunteers positioned throughout the course, and members of the Hoosick Falls Police Department and the Hoosick Rescue Squad were present. The field of runners, about 35, was somewhat smaller than in previous years.

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HFCS Sports Roundup – Both Lacrosse Teams Make Sectionals

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by Steve Bradley

BOYS LACROSSE

Vs. Lansingburgh – The boys lacrosse regular season came to an exciting end last Thursday when the team defeated Lansingburgh High 10 – 5 at the Hoosick Soccer Complex. The first meeting between the teams resulted in an 18 – 12 Lansingburgh victory. The win was made especially special because it was Senior Day. Seniors (shown in photo, left to right) Mark Hackett, Charlie Whitman, Damon Dubois, Jake Bakaitis Chris Scheilding, Head Coach Mark Marquart, Nick Schrom and Logan Hoyt enjoyed every minute of the upset victory.

The boys, for the first time in school history, advanced to sectional play. On Monday, the team made the quick trip to Cambridge to play the #2 seeded Indians. The Panthers did not win that game, suffering a 12 – 5 defeat. In a way, it was a victory, as Cambridge defeated the Panthers 15 – 0 in the regular season. It ended a very successful season for the team, not necessarily the won – loss record, but in the advances made by the original players of HFCS boys lacrosse. The seniors on the team didn’t even know the rules of the game a couple of short years ago. The Panthers end the season with a 6 – 9 record.

BASEBALL

Vs. Greenwich – The Panthers defeated Granville 6 – 0 in their final regular season game Thursday on the HFCS diamond. Wyatt Whitman pitched his third shutout of the 2015 season, sending 12 Horde batters back to the dugout with strikeouts. Noah Conety had a single and a triple, and scored twice to lead the offense. Shayne Richard had two singles and one RBI, while Garrett Wright drove in two runs with a single and scored twice himself. The teams regular season ended with an 11 – 3 league, and 12 – 6 overall record.

Vs. Johnstown – Sectional Play – The #4 seeded Panthers (13 – 6)hosted #13 seeded Johnstown (12-9) Tuesday. After scoring seven runs in the fifth inning, HF took a 9 – 3 lead into the seventh and final inning when the Johnstown batters began to  click. With two outs and and a man on first, the Panthers found themselves clinging to a 9-8 lead. The man on first stole second, putting him in scoring position. But pitcher Wyatt Whitman (7 – 1) dug deep and struck out the batter for the third out. Alex Mendez had a double and single, and knocked in two runs. Wyatt Cushman had two singles and two RBI’s. Ryan Sanders had a two run single.

HF now advances to the next round, playing at home Thursday against Schuylerville. Should the Panthers win that game, they will play Saturday at Shuttleworth Stadium in Amsterdam. The time for that game is to be announced.

SOFTBALL

Vs. Granville – The Panthers Ladies also hosted the Granville Golden Horde last Thursday. Playing in their last regular season game of the year, the Ladies downed the Horde, 9 – 8 in a very exciting game that was decided in the bottom of the final inning. After spotting the Horde 6 – 0 in the top of the second inning, to get them right where they wanted them, the Panthers outscored the Horde 7 – 0 to put the Panthers up one, 7 – 6 going into the last inning. Granville scored two runs in the top of the seventh to grab an 8 – 7 lead. The Panthers came out and calmly scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning when senior Chelsea Stevens doubled to drive in two runs to win the game.

Winning pitcher Alyssa Ellis (4 – 4) helped her cause at the plate by going 2 of 4 and batting in three RBI. Erika Quackenbush went 3 of 4 with one RBI, while scoring three times. Chelsea Stevens went 3 of 4 with two RBI and Sydney Miller went 2 of 3  with two RBI. Abby Gilson and Cassie each recorded an RBI.

Vs. Wahconah Regional – The Panthers traveled to Dalton, MA, just northeast of Pittsfield, to play Friday. Wahconah won the game 13 – 1. Alyssa Ellis took the loss on the mound. Lindsey Tutunjian doubled and stole a base in the game. Two Wahconah hit home runs. Most regular season starters did not play in the game, with many junior varsity players competing.

Vs. Mount Anthory – The Ladies lost at Mt. Anthony, 6 – 0, Monday afternoon.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Vs. Emma Willard – The Ladies traveled to Troy to face the Jesters in the Jesters Senior Day game. The Panthers were very ungracious guests as they beat EW, 11 – 9. Kara LaFlamme had five goals, Jordyn Haynes, Caytlyn Springer and Ally Burdick each added two. Zaynah Poore had a tremendous game, stopping shots left and right to record 12 saves. Vs. Scotia – Sectional Play – For the first time in HFCS history the Ladies competed in sectional play, being seeded #7. Facing #2 Scotia on Tuesday, the Ladies fell 17 – 5. Rachael Lewsey and Jordyn Haynes each had one goal. Zaynah Poore had nine saves in goal. The team ends the season with a fine 5 -5 league, 7 – 9 overall record.

The Ladies have every reason to be very proud of their season as great strides were made. Competitive against all but the very best teams, the team had an outstanding season. These girls made groundbreaking progress for upcoming teams.

Hoosick Falls Central School Boys Lacrosse Team. (Steve Bradley photo)
Hoosick Falls Central School Boys Lacrosse Team. (Steve Bradley photo)

Berlin Track Team Has High Hopes For Post Season

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by Jen Burhans

The Berlin varsity track and field team is winding up its season as the weather warms up and sectionals and States loom near.

The combined boys and girls teams have fared well in the WASAREN league, setting two new school records and racing in five invitationals this season.

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Petersburgh Boy Scout Troop 222 Attends The Mahikan District Spring Camporee In Columbia County

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by Andy Zlotnick

Troop 222 took 15 scouts and their leaders to Columbia County to participate in the Mahikan District Woodsman Challenge. On May 15 through 17, the troop traveled to the Columbia County fairgrounds along with about 300 other scouts from around the region. [Read more…] about Petersburgh Boy Scout Troop 222 Attends The Mahikan District Spring Camporee In Columbia County

Volunteers Needed For Trails Clean-Up

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National Trails Day is the perfect time to clean up local parks. On Saturday, June 6, the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP) and Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center are hosting the 22nd Annual National Trails Day. Both parks invite volunteers of all ages to help clean up and improve trails on Saturday morning and indulge in the trail activities they enjoy most in the afternoon.

Registration  begins at 9 am at both parks; refreshments and snacks will be available. Cleanup and improvement of both trail systems will take place between 9 am and noon, followed by a complimentary barbecue picnic for all volunteers. After the barbecue, participants are encouraged to enjoy the trails and parks. Reservations must be made in advance for the barbecue. Call the GLSP Office or Dyken Pond Office no later than June 4. For more information, call 279-1155 or 658-2055.

Upcoming Events At Bennington Battlefield, GLSP And Cherry Plain State Park

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Saturday, May 23 –  Grafton Lakes State Park Beach Opens for The Season!  Open daily 10 am-6 pm through Labor Day! Gate fees are now $8/vehicle

Camping opens at Cherry Plain Memorial Day Weekend. Camping and swimming are weekends only until June 26, then daily through Labor Day.  Camping reservations available through www.reserveamerica.com. Gate fees are $7/vehicle.

4th Annual Geocache Challenge Begins in the Capitol Region! Using a hand-held GPS or smart phone App, go on a treasure hunt in your local state parks and historic sites! Free! Program will get you and the kids outside all summer! Call your local park for how to sign up!

Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day Sand Sculpture Contest from 12 to 3 pm. Register  at noon by the Beach Nature Center at Long Pond. Bring your shovels, props and your creativity as extra points are given for originality! Prizes for everyone!

Saturday, May 30 – Morning Bird Walk to the Dickinson Fire Tower at 7:30 am. Join local birder for a morning walk through the park’s forests, ending with spectacular views from above at the Dickinson Fire Tower. Meets at North Long Pond parking lot.  Pre-registration required: 279-1155.

HFCS Baseball – Hitt Out After Getting Hit

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By Steve Bradley

Vs. Cambridge – After the quick trip up Route 22, the Panthers took to the field against rival Cambridge (2 – 8, 2 – 11 overall). After getting a one run lead in the top of the first, the Panthers surrendered that lead in the bottom when Cambridge plated two runs. From there, the Panthers dominated, outscoring the Indians 9 – 0 for a 11 – 2 win. The Panthers scored in every inning but the second. Josh McCart had two singles and two RBI’s. Ryan Sanders had two singles.

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Lady Panthers Get Two Wins In Lacrosse

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by Steve Bradley

Vs. Cohoes – The Panthers hosted Cohoes on the HFCS field and came out with a 12 – 11 victory. Jordyn Haynes scored five goals, Ally Burdick had three. Kara LaFlamme scored twice, and Anna Wysocki and Rachael Lewsey each scored once. Zaynah Poore had three saves. The Panthers out-drew Cohoes 14 – 9 (this is the play that begins play after a goal, winning the draw is important).

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