Lake George

Keith Harrington-Staff Writer:A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article singing the praises of Spartan Field at Castleton State College as the new home of the Adirondack League baseball and softball championship games. One of the things I liked about Castleton was that if both of a school’s teams qualified for the title tilts, their fans could easily keep an eye on both games at the same time. Yesterday the Lake George Warrior fans were able to do just that,  and I am sure they liked what they saw. Both the Lake George baseball and softball  teams avenged regular season losses to their opponents to grab Adirondack League championships. Here is the story on all of the action.

Adirondack League Baseball Championship Game

Lake George 4 Fort Ann 2

What a difference 24 hours can make. On Thursday the Fort Ann Cardinals baseball team beat Lake George 6-5 in their regular season finale. Yesterday though at Spartan Field, the Warriors were clearly the aggressor and were able to win the ADK crown with a 4-2 win. Lake George rode a sparkling pitching gem from Connor McCoy to grab the title. McCoy was dominant, silencing the powerful Fort Ann bats with a five hit, 14 strikeout performance.

When the two teams played in the regular season a day earlier, both teams played a little vanilla, saving their ace pitcher for the big one instead of using them in a game that meant nothing. McCoy was able to outduel Fort Ann’s main pitcher, George Lehoisky, handing him his first loss of the season. Lake George scored three runs in the first three innings against Lehoisky by slapping out six hits.

Lake George took a 1-0 lead in the second, and then increased it in the third when Willy Blunt smashed an RBI double. Peter Fisher then cranked a triple to drive in Blunt to make  it 3-0 Lake George. That is all of the offense McCoy would need as he kept the Cardinal bats in check the rest of the way. Fort Ann scored single runs in the fifth and sixth but could not manage to get closer.

One  bright spot for Fort Ann is that Robert Sprague, who has pitched very little all year came in to relieve Lehoisky and was solid. Sprague went 3 2/3 innings and struckout six Warriors. If Sprague is healthy enough to pitch like he is capable, Fort Ann could be poised to make another very deep playoff run.

Lake George moves to 14-5 on the season. Fort Ann drops to 16-3.

Adirondack League Softball Championship Game

Lake George 5 Argyle 4

The Lake George Warriors softball team overcame an early 2-0 deficit, and then used a huge fourth inning to grab the lead, and  held on to win the Adirondack League championship over Argyle 5-4. The win turns the table for the Warriors after an earlier season loss to  the Scots.

Lake George jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Amy Sander singled, and then scored on a single by Chelsea Sipowicz. Argyle came back in the bottom of the inning.  Alyssa Salerno reached on an error and scored on a Hannah Kennedy double. Courtesy runner Vicky Genovese later scored when Lake George pitcher Amy Sander was called for an illegal pitch making it 2-1 Scots.

The fourth inning was the key inning for Lake George. The Warriors batted around in the inning and scored four run to go  up 5-2. Emma Feathers knocked in Rebecca Kandora who had singled, and Sander and Brittany Motta added RBI hits.

Argyle came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 5-4. Salerno ripped an RBI single and Kennedy doubled again to close the gap, but the Scots rally ended there and they were not able to get the equalizer as Sander closed the door.

Lake George raises their record to 15-5. Argyle drops to 15-3.

 

Keith Harrington/Staff Writer: This week is the final week of baseball and softball play in the Adirondack League, and then it is off to Section II tourney play. The boys championship game is all set. It will be the Fort Ann Cardinals vs. the Lake George Warriors. Lake George will also be playing in the softball championship game against a team that is yet to be determined because of the battle in the East. Argyle is in the driver’s seat, but still has not officially clinched. Both ADK title games are scheduled for Friday, May 18th at Castleton State College. With all of Tuesday’s games postponed, it remains to be seen if that schedule will have to be adjusted. Here is what’s happening “Across the ADK Diamond.”

1. Fort Ann baseball became the first ADK team to wrap up a division title and earn a spot in the championship game. The Cards defeated Hartford 3-1 on Friday to clinch. Some people might say, “So what, Fort Ann was expected to win again.” However, the Cardinals had to do things differently this year. Robert Sprague was not able to pitch due to an injury and George Lehoisky had to  become the ace of the staff. Plus, Fort Ann received a stiff challenge from a talented Salem team and couldn’t cruise to the East Division title like they normally do. A job well done by Coach Dane Clark  and his crew.

2. Speaking of Salem, kudos to the Generals baseball team on an outstanding season. They gave Fort Ann all they wanted and should be a serious threat in the sectionals. Nick Burch, Dan Jameson, Chris Payne, Marcus Blanck, Justin Capuano and company will be a very tough out for any opponent.

3. Lake George clinched both the baseball and softball West Division titles on Monday. I had mentioned in an earlier story that Castleton is perfect for fans of a team who has both their girls and boys teams playing in the title games because you can see both fields from one vantage point. I was at Spartan Field a couple of weeks ago, and you may have to search around a bit, but you can find just the right spot to watch both games with a little experimentation.

4. Yesterday the Adirondack League East softball race got a little bit clearer as Argyle beat Fort Ann for the second time this season, 2-0. Ashley Ellis of Argyle fired a two-hitter to outduel Fort Ann’s Molly Bailey who tossed a three-hitter herself. Christina Tucker had a pair of hits for the Scots. Argyle controls their own destiny with a two game lead over Fort Ann and Whitehall. They can grab the crown with a win over Bolton on Wednesday.

5. Hats off to the Hartford Tanagers softball team and coach Duane Flower. Hartford lost some key players to graduation, including ace pitcher Christina Petteys, who is now at SUNY Adirondack. After a slow start the Tanagers stand at 10-5 in league play and 13-5 overall. Junior pitcher Morgan Wicks(11-5) has come into her own this season, and Brittany Brayman has played as well as any player on any team. Hartford has wins late in the season over title contenders Argyle and Whitehall and recently won the Trapper Classic in Warrensburg. Watch out for the Red and Black in sectional play. Many of these girls played on a volleyball team that advanced to the state volleyball tournament.

Keith Harrington/Staff Writer: As we head into the final week of the regular season, a few of the Adirondack League softball teams prepared themselves for sectional play by participating in tournaments. If you enjoy watching high school softball the Lake George/Warrensburg region was the place to be on Saturday. Lake George hosted Duanesburg and Ticonderoga in a round robin tournament. Warrensburg hosted Corinth, Hartford, and Fort Edward in the Trapper Tournament.

I spent the day in Lake George and was treated to some very good softball.  This tournament was well organized and very entertaining. The Duanesburg Purple Eagles flashed their muscle as they went 4-0 on the day. Both Duanesburg’s varsity and junior varsity swept Lake George and Ticonderoga. Expect to be hearing a lot about the Purple Eagles in Section II softball over the next few years. Their junior varsity club featured a solid pitcher, and an outstanding third basemen with a lightning quick bat. They were both just seventh graders.

Lake George Tournament

The host Lake George Warriors split their two outings in the tournament. The Warriors dropped their opener to a strong Duanesburg team 12-0. Lake George came back to win game two over Ticonderoga 7-3. Duanesburg defeated Ticonderoga 9-4 to go 2-0 in the tournament.

Against Duanesburg, Lake George hung close for three innings as the Purple Eagles led just 3-0. Duanesburg however scored four runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to blow the game open.

In the second game for Lake George, the Warriors held a 2-0 lead early but Ticonderoga tied things up in the bottom of the third. The Warriors though outscored the Sentinels 5-1 over the last three innings to take the victory.

Amy Sander led the Warriors in the circle and the plate. Sander was the winning pitcher, scattering five hits and striking out eight. She was 3-4 at the plate. Jamie Jarrett had a tripled,  singled and had three RBIs for the Warriors. Rebecca Kandora had a pair of hits as well.

Lake George is now 13-4 on the season.

Warrensburg Trapper Classic

The Hartford Tanagers swept a pair of games from Adirondack League foes as they claimed the Warrensburg Trapper Classic crown. The Tanagers defeated Corinth 8-4 in the opening round, and then stopped Fort Edward in the championship tilt 11-6.

In the opener, Hartford beat Corinth for the second time this season. Hartford didn’t waste any time in this one. They scored two runs in the first and five in the second to take a 7-0 lead. Corinth closed the gap by rallying for four runs in the top of the fourth, but Hartford tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame and held on for the win.

Morgan Wicks picked up her 10th win of the season in the circle, yielding five hits and striking out eight. Brittany Brayman was 3 for 4 at the plate with a double and triple.

Fort Edward advanced to the final with a 10-9 win over Warrensburg. This was a wild one as the teams swapped the lead a few times. Fort Edward led 2-0 early, but Warrensburg scored four in the second, three in the third, and two in the fourth to lead 9-2. Fort Edward came back to tie the game 9-9 with two in the fourth and five in the fifth, and then won it with a run in the eight on a Brittini Sardina homerun. Sardina also homered in the third.

In the championship game, Fort Edward scored five runs in the top of the second to go ahead 5-0, but Hartford scored five runs in the bottom of the frame to tie it at five all. The Tanagers then put up a four spot in the fourth and tacked on two more in the fifth to go up 11-5, and went on to win from there.

Brittany Brayman was the winning pitcher for Hartford, striking out five. Brayman had another big game at the plate, with a double, triple and three RBIs. Wicks also had a strong game with a homer, a double and three RBIs.

Hartford is now 12-5. Fort Edward is 8-10. The two clubs meet again Monday in ADK play.

Corinth beat Warrensburg in the consolation game 7-6.

 

Keith Harrington-Staff Writer

Corinth 1 Lake George 0

On a day that was more fitting weather-wise for a high school football game, the Corinth Tomahawks edged  Lake George 1-0 to pull even with the Warriors in the west division race. Lake George has dominated play in the division for several years, but this win puts the Toms in position grab the title as both teams are now 6-2. The teams meet again on May 14 at Corinth. 

The only run of the game came in the top of the sixth. Greg Kelly tripled for Corinth, but was thrown out at the plate on an Andrew Jenkins fielders choice. Jenkins then advanved to third on a pair of wild pitches, and scored when a high swinging strike went all the way to the screen. Kelly shut down the Warriors the rest of the way and the Tomahawks had the huge win.

Kelly gave up just two hits, while striking out eight and walking two. Lake George pitcher Connor McCoy struck out 11,  while only yielding four hits and a pair of free passes.

Salem 9 Whitehall 2

The Salem Generals rolled to another Adirondack League win,  jumping on Whitehall early to defeat the Railroaders 9-2. Salem trailed 2-0 early, but scored seven runs in the first three innings to take control. Justin Capuano moved to 2-0 on the season on the hill, tossing a five hitter while striking out 10.

Dan Jameson led Salem at the plate,  going 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Sean Geraghty also double for the Generals. Marcus Blanck and Chris Payne were both 2 for 4.

Salem is 7-1, 9-2. Whitehall is 5-3, 5-3.

Fort Ann 32 Argyle 1

Fort Ann jumped to a 10-0 lead after three innings, then scored 12 in the fourth and 11 in the fifth to finish off Argyle 32-1. The Cards pounded out 22 hits in the six inning game.

Joe Foran homered, doubled and drove in four runs for Fort Ann. George Lehoisky hit a home run and drove in three runs. Colby Batchelder was 4 for 4 at the plate with a homer and a double, and also got the win on the mound. Kent Alexander added three hits.

Fort Ann is now 8-0, 8-1. Argyle is 0-7, 0-7.

Hartford 11 Fort Edward 6

Cody Palmer was the star of the game as Hartford slipped past Fort Edward 11-6 in Adirondack League baseball play. Palmer got the win on the mound and went 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of runs batted in to pace the Tanagers.

Robert Petit added a triple and four RBIs while Pat Coppens was 3 for 4.

Mike Schiher was 3 for 4 for the Flying Forts.

Hartford is 5-3, 7-3. Fort Edward is 3-5, 3-5.

Warrensburg 12 North Warren 9

Shea Irish made his first varsity start on the mound a successful one, picking up the win and going 2 for 3 at the plate as  Warrensburg topped North Warren 12-9. Irish, a freshman went 5 2/3 innings.

The Burghers led 11-4 early on, and then held off a late Cougar rally.

Marcus Perrone was 2 for 3 with two RBIs for Warrensburg, 3-5, 3-6.

Robert Vaisey had a pair of doubles for the Cougars, 2-6, 2-8.

Hadley-Luzerne 13 Bolton 0

Cory Saheim got the win on the hill, going six innings while striking out 11 as Hadley-Luzerne shutout Bolton 13-0. The  HL Eagles jumped to a 4-0 lead in the second and blew the game open with a six run fifth.

Saheim also was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Devin Waite was 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

 Hadley-Luzerne is 3-5, 6-6. Bolton is 0-8, 0-9.

 

 

Keith Harrington-Staff Writer

Fort Ann 11 Corinth 1

The Fort Ann Cardinals ran their record to 4-0 in ADK baseball play, and handed Corinth their first league loss of the season, beating the Tomahawks 11-1. George Lehoisky was solid on the mound,  scattering five hits while fanning 13.

Joe Foran, Robert Sprague, Chris Jackson, Jeff Johnson, and Colby Batchelder all had two hits for the Cards.

Corinth falls to 3-1,  4-3.

Hartford 14 Warrensburg 11

The Hartford Tanagers won a wild one, pounding out 13 hits in slipping past Warrensburg 14-11. The Tanagers are now 2-2, 4-2 on the season. Delos Jackson moved to 2-0 on the season on the mound, Jackson went 2 for 3 at the plate and drove in four runs.

Larry Perras went for 2 for 3 for Hartford with three RBIs.

Jeff Bentham was 3 for 5 for 0-4, 0-5 Warrensburg.

Lake George 16 Argyle 1

The Lake George Warriors continued to sail along in ADK baseball play, easing past Argyle 16-1. The Scots are still looking for their first win. Lake George broke open a 1-1 game by plating seven runs in the fourth.

Peter Fisher led the Warriors with a pair of triples. Charles Barber had a single, a double and three RBIs.

Brandon Matthews got the win on the hill, tossing a two-hitter.

Bobby Doepper had two hits for Argyle.

Whitehall 13 Bolton 9

Whitehall moved to 3-1 in Adirondack League play as they knocked off Bolton 13-9. Carl Rehm pitched well for the Railroaders, firing a three-hitter while striking out eight.

Josh Hoagland led Whitehall at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double and four runs batted in. Cody Bascue was 2 for 3.

Mitchell Jordan had a pair of hits for 0-4 Bolton.

Fort Edward 15 North Warren 1

Fort Edward evened their record at 2-2 in ADK play with a 15-1 victory over the North Warren Cougars. Fort Edward jumped to a 8-0 lead and cruised the rest of the way. Sean Morency and Mike Schiher combined on a three-hittter.

Jonah Taylor had a big day at the plate for the Flying Forts, going 2 for 4 with a double, HR and two RBIs. Mike Taft had a triple,  two singles and four RBIs. Garrett Clark drove in three runs.

North Warren is 1-4 in league play.

Salem 8 Hadley-Luzerne 1

Salem bounced back from their tough loss to Fort Ann,  by defeating Hadley-Luzerne 8-1. Nick Burch was outstanding on the mound, firing a one-hitter while striking out 16.

Dan Jameson was 2 for 4 for the Generals, while Nick Gaudreau nailed a grand slam homer.

Salem is 3-1, 5-2. Hadley-Luzerne is 2-2, 5-3.

Keith Harrington-Staff Writer

Argyle 14 Hartford 1

The Argyle Scots broke open a close game by exploding for 11 runs in the fourth inning and cruised to a 14-1 win over Hartford in Adirondack League softball. Both teams entered the contest unbeaten.

Argyle jumped to a 3-0 lead,  scoring a run in the second and two in the third. The Tanagers plated a run in the top of the fourth to make it 3-1, but the Argyle answered with a huge bottom half of the inning to put the game out of reach.

Shelby Graham, Christina Tucker and Megan McWhorter all once again had big games at the plate, each smacking a single and double. Andrea Richards added a pair of RBIs and Sam Rabine had a pair of hits.

Argyle is 3-0, 4-0. Hartford falls to 2-1, 3-1.

Whitehall 6 Fort Edward 2

This game was tied 2-2 in the seventh, but the Railroaders put up a four spot in the inning to beat Fort Edward 6-2. Brittany Putorti got the win once again in the circle for Whitehall.

Whitehall got doubles from Olivia Short and Emily Harker.

Whitehall is 2-1, 2-1. Fort Edward is 0-3, 1-3.

Lake George 21 Warrensburg 6

Amy Sander tossed a two hitter,  picking up her second win on the year as Lake George eased past Warrensburg 21-6. Lake George only managed seven hits, but took advantage of nine Warrensburg errors and 15 walks.

Chelsea Sipowicz smacked a double for the Warriors.

Lake George is 3-0, 3-0. Warrensburg is 0-3, 0-4.

Fort Ann 15 Salem 0

Fort Ann remained undefeated on the season by defeating Salem 15-0 in a five inning mercy rule game. The Cardinals jumped to a 6-0 lead after two innings,  then scored four in the fourth and five in the fifth to end the game. Fort Ann pounded out 17 hits in the game.

Kayla Bancroft went 4 for 4 with a homer and a triple. Kimmie Ostrander went 3 for 4 a the plate. Molly Bailey fired a three hitter while striking out 10 to get the win in the circle.

Fort Ann goes to 3-0, 3-0. Salem is 1-2, 1-2.

Corinth 16 Hadley-Luzerne 1

Corinth scored seven runs in the second, and then added three more in the fourth to go ahead 10-0 and cruised to a 16-1 win over Hadley-Luzerne.

Marissa Sweet led Corinth with a double, two singles, and four RBIs. Taylor Fedor had a double and a single and drove in two runs. Alicia Nicholson pitched a two hitter with 8 Ks.

Corinth is now 2-1, 2-1. Hadley-Luzerne is 1-2, 1-2.