Section 10 postseason: SR baseball, girls lax reach regional finals

By Andy Gardner.

Saturday, June 2, girls lacrosse regional final, Skaneateles 15 Salmon River 2 – Salmon River embarked on yet another impressive journey to the state playoffs, but their dreams of a state title were dashed in the regional final against Skaneateles, the Section 3 Class D champion, on a breezy day at SUNY Potsdam.

Skaneateles wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring the first goal just over three minutes into the game and maintaining control until the final whistle, securing a victory that propelled the Lakers into the final four. The Lakers showcased their speed and precision in their triumph on the road in Potsdam. They excelled in ground-ball possessions, swiftly advancing up the field and executing multiple offensive strategies, resulting in ten goals in the first half. Meanwhile, they limited the Shamrocks to a single goal in each half.

Although the Shamrocks had a commendable season, sharing the regular-season title with their Section 10 rival, Canton, and defeating them to clinch their fourth consecutive Section 10 championship, their aspirations fell short against Skaneateles in the regional final. Skaneateles took an early 1-0 lead, with Rachel Hackler (2 goals) finding the back of the net while a Salmon River player served a two-minute penalty. Just over two minutes later, Paige Willard (2 goals, 3 assists) extended the Lakers’ lead, followed by Lilly Marquardt (2 goals, 2 assists) scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the opening minutes of the state game. Skaneateles built a commanding 7-0 lead before McKenzie Francis-Chubb of Salmon River spoiled the shutout bid, scoring past the Lakers’ goalkeeper, Emily Evans, who finished the match with four saves. The Lakers continued their dominance, adding three more unanswered goals to establish a 10-1 lead at halftime.

Francis-Chubb scored her second goal of the game, assisted by Ariyah LaFrance. Skaneateles senior Bella Brogan led the way with four goals and an assist.

Saturday, June 2, Class B regional baseball final, Plattsburgh 9 Salmon River 3 – On a windy Saturday afternoon, June 2, at St. Lawrence University’s Tom Fay Field, Salmon River suffered a defeat in the Class B regional final of the state playoffs against Plattsburgh from Section 7.

Plattsburgh gained momentum in the third inning, scoring two runs and maintaining their offensive prowess as the Shamrocks struggled to find success against Hornets pitcher Trenton Griffiths. Griffiths, with a combination of skillful curveballs and well-executed off-speed pitches, held the Shamrock bats in check, pitching a no-hitter for the first four innings.

After a scoreless start in the first two innings, Jace Lacey ignited the Plattsburgh offense with a two-run double, propelling them into the lead. The Hornets continued their dominance with three additional runs in the fourth inning, establishing a commanding 5-0 advantage midway through the game. While Salmon River managed to have a few runners in scoring position, Griffiths remained composed under pressure, thwarting any potential rally attempts.

Plattsburgh sealed the game in the fifth inning when Braeden Calkins smashed a three-run double to right-center field, extending their lead to 9-0. Although the Shamrocks managed to score a run after Dylan Johnson drew a walk with the bases loaded, they were unable to capitalize further, as a strikeout from Bronson Bero left three runners stranded. In the bottom of the seventh inning, runs from Rick Chatland and Luke Miller hinted at a potential rally for the Shamrocks. However, Plattsburgh reliever Warren Miller delivered back-to-back strikeouts, sealing the game and securing a spot for the Hornets in the state semifinals.

Despite the loss, the Shamrocks created history for their school by becoming the first Salmon River baseball team to reach the regional final. They also achieved consecutive Section 10 Central Division titles and back-to-back Section 10 Class B titles, marking remarkable accomplishments.

Rick Chatland contributed a hit and an RBI for Salmon River, while Luke Miller singled and scored a run.

On the mound, Trenton Griffiths showcased his pitching prowess for Plattsburgh, striking out six batters and even scoring a run himself. Warren Miller, who came in as a reliever, also recorded six strikeouts during his time on the mound.

Tuesday, May 30, Section 10 girls lacrosse Class C/D championship, Salmon River 13 Canton 3 – The Salmon River Shamrocks girls varsity lacrosse program secured their fourth consecutive Section 10 championship with a decisive 13-3 victory over Canton Central. The game took place at SUNY Potsdam’s turf field on Tuesday, May 30.

During the regular season, Canton and Salmon River had split their series, both finishing with impressive 15-1 records and sharing the regular season championship. Head coach Ryan Adams, in his fifth year with the program but his first as the team’s leader, emphasized the need for early intensity and the importance of minimizing mistakes if they aimed to clinch another championship. To set the tone, eighth-grader Anastasia Terrance of the Shamrocks scored two minutes into the game, granting her team the desired fast start and an early lead. However, explosive offense was not a recurring theme, as both teams struggled to find the back of the net for the next ten minutes, with their defenses successfully neutralizing each other.

With 14 minutes remaining in the first half, SRC relentlessly pressured Canton goaltender Grace Davis, forcing a turnover behind her own net and capitalizing on the ensuing possession to extend their lead to 2-0. Nevertheless, Canton senior Lindsey Filitatrault quickly responded, narrowing the gap to one goal.

Following an exchange of goals, Salmon River seized control with a dominant 4-0 run to conclude the first half. Senior Kawenokwiio Mitchell, with less than a minute left, contributed two goals, solidifying an 8-2 advantage heading into halftime.

Salmon River’s defensive prowess was instrumental in securing the victory, as they limited Canton to a solitary goal in the second half and steadily extended their lead to secure a 13-3 triumph and claim the championship. Joryan Adams, named Section 10 MVP, emerged as the offensive leader for the Shamrocks, tallying three goals and an assist in the victory. Terrance (2 assists), Lazore (1 assist), Mitchell, and junior Ariyah LaFrance each contributed two goals, while McKenzie Francis-Chubb (1 assist) and Finley Conners added single goals. Kaidance Sunday provided an assist.

For Canton, sophomore Vivian Coburn showcased her skills with a goal and an assist, leading the Golden Bears’ offensive efforts. Filitatrault and freshman Olivia Francey contributed a goal each, and Sara Aldous registered an assist.

Thursday, June 1, Class B regional baseball semifinal, Salmon River 8 Ichabod Crane 7 – After clinching the Section 10 Class B title, the Salmon River Shamrocks advanced to state playoffs and defeated Section 2 champs Ichabod Crane. The Thursday, June 1 tilt went 10 innings.

In true Shamrock fashion, the team overcame a late deficit through well-timed hitting and exceptional defensive prowess, showcasing their distinctive strengths. This has become a trademark of their squad.

During the first two innings, the Shamrocks struggled to generate offense, going six up and six down in both frames. However, the fact that four of these outs came from deep fly balls indicated that SRC was ready to unleash their hitting abilities.

The Riders took the early lead with a single from Dominic Pelizza that found its way into the outfield. Nonetheless, Salmon River capitalized on early walks in the top of the third to bring in two runs and seize the lead. Senior Evan Collette then delivered a powerful single up the middle, driving in two more runs and extending SRC’s advantage to 4-1. One downside to explosive performances is often followed by a lull. A cold streak for the Shamrocks in the middle of the game allowed Ichabod Crane to gradually chip away at the deficit. This began with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of an RBI by the Riders’ Tyler Van Allen and a sacrifice fly from Pelizza.

In the fifth inning, a passed ball allowed IC’s Brady Holzhauer to score, tying the game. Alex Schmidt then regained the lead for the Riders with an RBI. Jack Mullins singled in the sixth, stealing two bases before tagging up on a deep fly ball to left field, resulting in a 6-4 lead for the Riders.

In the top of the seventh, with two outs and two runners in scoring position, senior Rick Chatland found himself in a familiar position. Just two weeks prior, Chatland had delivered a walk-off single in the Section 10 Class B semifinal against Gouverneur, saving the team’s season. Comfortable in these high-pressure moments, Chatland calmly approached the plate and launched a double, tying the game 6-6 and providing Salmon River with a chance to survive.

Chatland’s impact extended to the defensive end as well, as he made a stunning catch just inches above the dirt, securing a crucial first out in the final inning. After a pair of walks and two balks placed runners on first and third for the Riders, second baseman Bronson Bero’s acrobatic catch and swift flip to first base resulted in a double play, sending the game into extra innings.

The first two extra frames witnessed resilient defensive displays from both teams, with neither side sending more than four batters to the plate before switching sides.

In the top of the 10th, Bero kick-started the action with a single to second base, capitalizing on an overthrow on the force attempt, which allowed him to advance safely to second. Senior Caiden Cartier grounded out to shortstop but contributed to Bero’s advancement to third. Following a crucial walk by sophomore Dylan Johnson, senior Chase Lewis saved his only hit of the day for the most opportune moment, delivering a single to shallow center field, bringing Bero home and granting SRC the lead. Luke Miller, the Section 10 Central Division MVP, singled to right, with Johnson narrowly beating the throw to home, extending the Shamrocks’ lead to 8-6.

The Riders responded with fervor in the bottom of the inning, securing two singles to kick off their offensive push. A sacrifice fly from Nate Garafolo allowed Mullins to score, bringing Ichabod Crane within one run. With two outs and the tying run on third, the Shamrock defense displayed unwavering composure. Kyle Bartlett of the Riders hit a grounder to Collette, who executed his routine throw to first base flawlessly, as he has done countless times before, securing Salmon River’s advancement.

Lewis led the charge for the Shamrocks with two hits and two runs, while Miller contributed three hits and a run. Chatland delivered a double and three RBI, Johnson recorded one hit and two runs, and Cartier added a hit and a run alongside five strikeouts from the mound. Senior Kade Cook and Bero also contributed runs to the team’s total, with Collette adding a hit.

For the Riders, Mullins, Bartlett, and Wyatt Dolge each contributed one hit and scored a run. Holzhauer, Van Allen, and Schmidt also scored runs, while Pelizza and Dylan McCrudden added single hits.

Wednesday, May 31, Class C boys lacrosse playoffs first round, Maine-Endwell 19 Massena 7 – Massena’s impressive season came to a close with a defeat against three-time Section 4 champion Maine-Endwell in the first round of the state Class C playoffs at Maine-Endwell High School’s turf field. In the opening quarter, the Red Raiders put up a valiant fight, resulting in a 3-3 tie. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum as the Spartans outscored them 10-3 in the following two quarters, ultimately concluding Massena’s season with a 16-3 record.

Leading the Massena attack, Trysen Sunday (2 assists) and Brady Frost each scored two goals. Taka Thompson (2 assists), Ronin Oakes (1 assist), and Drew Smutz contributed to the scoring with their respective goals. Payton Puente provided an assist, while Owen Converse made 12 saves as the goalkeeper.

Gabriel Thompson led the charge for Maine-Endwell, delivering an impressive performance with seven goals and two assists. Tyler Matthews made a significant impact with four goals and seven assists, while Samuel Toton, the netminder, displayed his skills by making 13 saves.

Wednesday, May 31, Class A softball quarterfinal, Troy 14 Massena 0 – In Massena’s Class A quarterfinal loss to Troy in Malta, Kristen Oliver managed to secure the lone hit for her team in the fifth inning. Massena concluded their season with an 8-10 record.