The Eastwick Press Newspaper

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.