The Shenendehowa softball team is closing in on an undefeated Suburban Council season.
That’s not unusual in itself for the Plainswomen, who have won the last four Section II, Class AA titles. But the way they’ve remained unbeaten in the league this year is unusual.
On several occasions, Shen has had to mount a late-game comeback to pull out a win. The most recent example came last Wednesday against Colonie when the Plainswomen scored four runs in the last two innings to defeat the Lady Raiders 5-3.
That’s a testament to the team’s confidence that they know they can come back, said Shen coach Dan D’Amboise. `Unfortunately, we’ve been in the position where we can lose the game.`
It’s not that Shen (13-0 league, 18-1 overall) has falled back to the rest of the Suburban Council pack. It’s that the rest of the Suburban Council has improved significantly over last year.
`Colonie is the best 7-6 team I’ve ever seen. I don’t know where all of their losses have piled up because they have a good team,` said D’Amboise. `Shaker has put together a very good team this year. Bethlehem has been rejuvenated by a new coaching staff, and you can see how excited the girls are to play for them. Niskayuna had a resurgence last year, and that’s continued this year.`
That Shen has been able to beat all of its Suburban Council opponents this year ` its only loss was a non-league game against Big 10 champion Troy ` is a testament to a strong lineup and having two of the top pitchers in the league, Angie Sagnelli and K.C. Levin.
`They’re both very talented, and they’re both looking forward to good college careers,` D’Amboise said of Sagnelli and Levin.
Shen’s hit parade is being led by Levin, Sagnelli and Kayla Hines.
`K.C. Levin is having an off-the-chart season at the plate,` said D’Amboise. `We set two goals for her before the season began ` better pitch selection and taking better swings. But more importantly, she needed better pitch selection. She’s really paid attention to that, and it’s paid off. When she doesn’t get a hit, she’s getting walks.`
The Plainswomen will try to complete an undefeated run through the Suburban Council Thursday when they host Saratoga at Clifton Common.
Lady Spartans wrap up division title
One town over from Shen in Burnt Hills, the Lady Spartans are enjoying one of their best regular seasons in recent history.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake finished its league season Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Columbia. Emily Ostrom tossed a two-hitter and struck out 15, and she helped her own cause by driving in a run to lead the Lady Spartans to the win.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake finished with a 10-4 league record and the Suburban Council White Division title.“
