SEASON IN REVIEW: TACONIC HILLS SOFTBALL

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

06-29-09 - The Titans of Taconic Hills enjoyed a fantastic season that went further than any other team in Taconic Hills softball history, but still it ended somewhat earlier than many had hoped. After going undefeated in the Patroon Conference and winning the league crown, the Titans were awarded the second seed in the Section II Class B tournament and made a run into the Final Four.
 
Led by ccSCOOP’s Patroon Conference Player of the Year, Aleshia Link, the Titans showed a potent offense and a great defense behind a dominant Link on the mound as they ran through the Patroon Conference schedule. A pair of thrilling victories over four-time defending champions Ichabod Crane made the league title even more satisfying.
 
In sectional play, the Titans started off with a bang against Cobleskill-Richmondville. Although they managed just five hits, back-to-back hits by eight-grader Alexis McComb and Kelsey Campbell provided the Titans only run. That lone run was more than enough for Link who no-hit the Bulldogs en route to the win.
 
Once into the Class B semifinals, the second-seeded Titans matched up with third-seeded Schuylerville, a team they had defeated in a nonleague tournament two weeks before. Link scattered five hits and one walk while striking out sixteen, but the Black Horses managed two runs. At the plate, the Titans picked up four hits and stranded eight runners on base in the 2-0 loss that ended their season.
 
The Titans are another one of the very young teams in Columbia County since they are expected to lose just three players due to graduation. Kelsey Campbell provided experience and leadership and a big bat at the plate, while Meagen Skelley and Erika Yasinki both provided experienced depth.
 
If everyone returns, the Titans will have nine experienced players including Link, who was selected to the Second Team Class B All State. Other rising seniors will include big bats Elyse DeRuzzio and Alyssa Van Alphen and also Kara Williams. A trio of talented sophomores is also slated to return: Becky Edgeworth, Nicole Havlik, and Kailynn Keeler. Two young players who had good seasons and are expected to be even more dangerous next year, sophomore to be Nicole Torchia, who provided time on the mound, and eighth-grader Alexis McComb. In the Titans final game, Michelle Link came up to varsity and picked up one of the four Taconic Hills hits.