Pine Plains narrowly misses Section IX title

NEW PALTZ — The Section IX Class C softball title game was a nail biter, coming down to several key defensive plays in the final inning by eventual winner Rhinebeck, who beat Pine Plains 2-1 last Saturday at SUNY New Paltz.

The Bombers had a runner on second with one out in the seventh and last inning, but Rhinebeck pitcher Megan Michie struck out Deanna Strang and their right-fielder made a diving catch on a fly ball to end the game, and the season, for the Stissing Mountain High School players.

“I think the big difference was in how the game ended,� Pine Plains coach Les Funk said earlier this week, referring to the many times Pine Plains has faced Michie this year, including the Mid-Hudson Athletic League title game several weeks ago (Rhinebeck won that game 6-3 and the team accounts for three of Pine Plains’ five losses this season). “We knew how good Michie was, and we knew what we needed to do. The big thing was cutting down her strikeouts.�

During the MHAL title game Michie retired 15 Pine Plains’ batters. The Bombers halved that last weekend and although Michie got the win she only tallied eight strikeouts on that day. Pine Plains had four hits off her, including three doubles. Anna Woodward pitched a complete game for Pine Plains with four strikeouts and one walk.

“I think a month or so ago some of the more inexperienced kids [on our team] might have folded under the pressure, especially with [Michie] out there,â€� Funk said. “But the kids that stood out for us weren’t the all- star players, but kids who were in that kind of atmosphere for the first time.  That’s real encouraging to see.â€�

Pine Plains finishes the season with a 16-5 record overall, 11-1 in the league.

“More power to Rhinebeck,� the coach said. “They’re returning state champs and they’ve got another chance to win it this year. They’ve got a great pitcher, and unfortunately they’re in the same section as us. If we were in a different section, I think we would have won the title. When you look at some of the big schools we’ve played [and beaten], I think we had a very successful year.�

Pine Plains will lose four graduating seniors next year: Sarah Lima, Skyler Nuccio, Nicole Killmer and Cassandra Inserillo.

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