& Albany County Post - The Altamont Enterprise

The Altamont Enterprise – Thursday, May 17, 2012 31One very big inning makes a huge difference for BKW’s softball teamBy Jordan J. MichaelBERNE –– It only takes oneinning to turn a softball game upsidedown. Berne-Knox-Westerlohas been way too familiar withthat notion this season.The Bulldogs have beenon both ends of a oneinningrally. Judging byits 3-10 record, the teamhas most often been onthe negative side. LastFriday, BKW gave up fiveruns to Schoharie in theseventh inning of its lasthome game.The Bulldogs’ spiritswere running high –– smiles andhugs abounded –– with a 6-to-3lead, but Schoharie ruined theSenior Day party. Some headswere seen hanging after theIndians took the lead.“It happened so quick,” BKWHead Coach Gary Morin saidafter the 8-to-6 defeat. “We wereready to win, but it happened soquick. It’s like, “Wait, what?”Lindsay Vanier, who was Schoharie’sspark all day, started off theseventh by getting onto first base“We were ready to win,but it happened so quick.It’s like, “Wait, what?”with a nice bunt. Sydney Folandfollowed with a single, and so didBrianna Borst after Sydney Burroughsmade an error at third basefor BKW, which allowed HannahBowersox to reach first base.In a flash, it was tied, 6 to 6,with no outs.Schoharie then cashed in onthree consecutive singles by RachelRandaggo, Carly Farineau,and C.J. Ceroalo. Vanier cameback up, but hit the ball straightback at Bulldog pitcher DanielleKruegger, who doubledup at third base tofinally end the exhaustinginning.BKW was excitablebefore the seventh inning,but rather quietafterwards. It didn’ttake long for the playersto pack up and leave.“They just pulledahead,” said Gabby Audino, whostruck out three times. “Thiswas a tough one. I feel bad forthe seniors.”Morin told The Enterprise thatone inning has continually decidedgames for BKW this season.The Bulldogs had a stretch whereThe Enterprise –– Jordan J. MichaelEyes of concern: Senior catcher Christina North looks towardsthe Berne-Knox-Westerlo bench during the fifth inning of a softballgame against Schoharie last Friday. North crushed a hit to deepright field that seemed to be a home run, but was called a groundrule double. BKW lost, 8 to 6.it lost three straight games by acombined total of five runs.“It’s either with us or againstus,” said Morin. “Softball is aweird game. It just takes oneinning to swing things around,but I give credit to my players forcontinuing to fight hard.”Overall, BKW outplayed Schoharie.It just couldn’t hold on.BKW scored four runs in thefifth inning. Senior ChristinaNorth crushed what seemed tobe a home run to deep right field,but it was called a ground ruledouble. Haley Daguillo and AnnaCrouse both drove in runs.“We play everyone close,”Morin said.Kruegger, a senior, spent fouryears pitching for the Bulldogs.This season, she started everygame but one. “She’s been a horsefor us,” said Morin, “but this isn’ta one girl show.”Everything was going fine forKruegger until the seventh inninglast Friday. The Schohariebats were no longer fooled. It wasjust another random inning thatwent badly.“Things fall apart,” Morin said.“We can’t figure it out.”The Enterprise –– Jordan J. MichaelSquaring up: Danielle Kruegger of Berne-Knox-Westerlo watches as a pitch comes to the plate duringlast Friday’s softball game against Schoharie. Kruegger, a senior, took the high pitch for a ball. TheBulldogs had a 6-to-3 lead, but gave up five runs in the seventh inning to lose, 8 to 6.Guilderland Youth Lacrossehosting Jamboree on SaturdayGuilderland Youth Lacrossewill be hosting the ArmedForces Day Lacrosse Jamboreeon Saturday, May 19 from 8a.m. to 6 p.m. at DiCaprio Parkin Guilderland.There will be 48 boys’ teamsparticipating in the tournament.Several vendors will beon hand, including BreakawaySports, Ralph’s Lacrosse,Maverick Lacrosse, and Dom’sconcession.Local political figures andmembers of the GuilderlandChamber of Commerce arebeing expected for the openingceremony at 8 a.m.