04-23-09 - Two undefeated Patroon Conference softball teams squared off in Valatie on Wednesday, as the reigning league champion Riders of Ichabod Crane hosted traditional powerhouse Taconic Hills. Taconic Hills plated two runs, one in the top of the first inning and another in the sixth, and that was enough to hold on for the 2-0 victory, despite a late threat by the Riders in the seventh. The Titans improve to 7-0 in the Patroon Conference, while the Riders fell to 2-1.
Taconic Hill Pitcher, Aleshia Link, Strikes out Three ICC Batters
With left-handed freshman Jess Van Alphen toeing the rubber for the Riders against junior star Aleshia Link, everyone knew runs would be few and far between and any play could be the difference between a win and a loss. Alyssa Van Alphan led off the game for the Titans and reached on an error at second base. Two attempted bunts were popped up, and Van Alphan moved to second on a passed ball. Elyse DeRuzzio reached base on a chopper to the pitcher to put runners at first and third with two outs. The Titans were able to capitalize when Nicole Havlik hit an RBI single that saw both she and DeRuzzio advance a base to second and third. Van Alphen held tough for the Riders and got out of the inning, stranding the two Titans in scoring position.
In the second inning, the Riders showed they wouldn’t just lie down for Link, who has already been a part of two no-hitters this season. Sarah Wheeler hit a single through the right side of the infield with one out. After a sacrifice bunt by Christy Zander moved the runner into scoring position, Link fired up a big strike out to escape the inning.
Again in the fourth, the Riders struck with a one-out single to the right side. This time it was junior catcher Becca Smith belting the ball the opposite way. The next batter struck out, and after the third strike, Smith was gunned down at a close play at second to again get Link and the Titans out of the inning.
With pitching dominating the game for both sides, it wasn’t until the sixth when Link led off with a walk and was advanced to second by a sacrifice bunt that any offense was coming. DeRuzzio then came up and laced a hot shot at third base. With Link racing toward third, it caught the fielder off guard, and both players were safe. A stolen base by DeRuzzio put two runners in scoring position for the Titans when Havlik came up to the plate and again forced in a run, this time on a fielder’s choice. Van Alphen settled down and again escaped the jam with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with two outs, the Riders Keira MacDonald nearly picked up an extra base hit, but center fielder Alexis McComb robbed her with a diving catch. MacDonald returned the favor in the top of the seventh when she proceeded to rob McComb of a possible extra base hit.
In the seventh inning, with the game hanging in the balance, the Riders senior leader Alli Pullen ripped a shot over the right fielder’s head for an extra base hit that landed her on third with no outs. Link fired it up and picked up a strikeout before walking Elaine Hernandez to put the tying run on base. From there Link did her best to close out the game with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Taconic Hills returns to action Friday, when they host Hudson before a big showdown at Greenville on Monday. The Riders look to bounce back Thursday when they travel to Rensselaer. Then on Friday and Saturday the Riders head down to Red Hook for the Red Hook Invitational.
