Schools Update: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Softball Team Stands Firm Against All Opponents

May 8, 2024

Updated: May 8, 2024

When it comes to the ‌Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake softball team, they’re not ones to shy away from a challenge.

They demonstrated their tenacity on Monday night, ⁢as they faced off against Shenendehowa at Clifton Commons, amidst the Plainsmen’s senior night celebrations under the floodlights.

This marked the second consecutive year that Burnt Hills had to play Shenendehowa on their senior ⁤night. The memory ‌of last year’s game, where the Plainsmen clinched‍ a thrilling, last-minute⁢ victory, was still fresh in⁣ the‍ minds of the Spartans.

“Indeed,” affirmed Burnt ⁣Hills’ coach Caitlyn Rana when asked if her team ‍remembered⁤ last‌ year’s game. “Last year’s game was their senior night under the lights, and the matchup was quite similar. That defeat was quite a bitter pill to⁤ swallow, and I believe⁢ it stayed with us. We were extremely eager for this game.”

The Spartans, who scored the first three‍ runs of the game, were spurred on by a ⁣two ⁢RBI double from Bailey Dinon in ⁢the top of the ‌third. Addisyn Knapik contributed an additional run⁤ with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

However, Shenendehowa was far from finished.

In ⁢the bottom of the fourth, Kayla Kean brought the Plainsmen back⁢ within one run with a two RBI double.

“She was the one who hit the walk-off against us last year,” Rana said of Kean, before praising her pitcher, Katie Rhodes. “Katie did an ⁢outstanding job in the circle, showing great resilience, and she exuded confidence throughout⁢ the game.”

Rhodes ⁣did not allow a run for the rest of the game, enabling Burnt Hills to secure a 3-2 win over Shenendehowa. This marked ⁤only the second loss of the season for ⁣the Plainsmen.

With an impressive 13-1‌ record this season, ⁢Burnt ⁤Hills‍ is currently on a 12-game winning streak since their 4-2 loss to Columbia on April 15. ⁤The Spartans have since triumphed over formidable teams like Shaker, Guilderland and Ballston Spa before clinching⁤ the win over Shenendehowa.

“Last year, we had a ⁣lot of new players,‌ but this ‍year most ‍of⁣ us ‌are returning, so we have a wealth of⁢ experience,” said Burnt Hills’⁣ Carlianna Ewing, discussing her team’s success this season. ‌“We were extremely excited about this year, knowing ‍we had so many seniors. Last ‌year, we struggled to ⁢find our groove, but this year⁤ we have ⁣found it.

“I think we’ve been more successful at stringing things together. If someone’s not performing, someone else steps‌ up, and we’ve been doing a great job of⁣ supporting ⁣each other.”

One of the key lessons ⁣from ‍past seasons is the ⁢ability of Burnt Hills players ‍to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the opponent or ‌the game situation.

“We’re like a ⁢family, and everyone’s got each other’s back,” said Cianna Benamati. “We know when we need to boost the energy, and it seems like every time we’re able to deliver.”

“No matter‌ who the opponent⁤ is, they ‌are always eager and ready⁢ to play. They‍ have the drive and determination, and they’re‍ not going to let anyone stand in their way,” Rana added. “This⁤ is a truly special group, and they are extremely passionate ⁤about the game. They‌ are determined to ‌make a deep run ⁢in the postseason, and they’ve done everything they can in the offseason to prepare.”

EXCHANGING BLOWS

Suburban Council softball teams⁢ have⁢ been trading blows all season long. Monday was no exception, as Saratoga Springs clinched a 1-0 walk-off ‌win over Guilderland.

Guilderland⁢ had been on a winning streak, ⁣having recently handed Shenendehowa its first loss of the season on May 1.

However, ‌on Monday, ‍Jackie Cutting took control for the Blue Streaks. The junior right-hander ‌pitched an eight-inning, complete ⁣game, one-hit shutout, with seven strikeouts and five ‌walks.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Cutting tripled to right field and was⁤ pinch-run for by Olivia Tetreault. After a pickoff throw to third by Guilderland’s catcher went astray, Tetreault raced home to score the game-winning run.

Jack Sullivan

Jack Sullivan, an informed and passionate sports reporter, is a former college athlete with a degree in Sports Communication from Ithaca College. Go Bombers!