Championship:

1 vs. 3 Rochester

By Brandi Sargent

In the beginning, the Rochester Lady Rockets’ #1 goal was to make it to the Championship Game. Coach Brandi Sargent feels she needs to be more specific next year, as they did as she requested, and next year it will be to win the Championship Game. On Friday, June 13, at 8:30 at night, the number three Rockets faced the number one, undefeated, returning champions, Black River.

The Lady Rockets arrived in Poultney two hours before scheduled game time, needing to wait for the preceding game to finish. Because of a heated Division II game between Lyndon and Harwood earlier in the day that went nine innings, all of the other games were pushed back. The Division IV game didn’t start until 9:30 p.m.

Three Rockets were recognized for being selected for the CVL All-Stars team, senior Desiree Bourassa, junior Megan Pratt, and freshman Lauren Pratt.

Finally, each team was announced, rules were gone over, the National Anthem was sung, and the official "Play Ball" could barely be heard above the crowd.

Rochester, known for their complete coolness under pressure, showed no nerves… jumping right on the pitcher and showing that this young team could hold their own under the lights. The Ladies cranked out two singles from Bourassa & M. Pratt. They were, unfortunately, stranded on base. Lady Rockets’ Samantha Mishkit would shut down the #1 Black River Presidents as she made all three defensive outs to end the first inning.

The Rockets were shut down one, two, three, to start the second inning, while Black River scored two to take the lead. Miranda Shepard, who went errorless in the game, made the first two defensive outs. With the third batter, Chambers on first, Rohrig was up to bat and crushed the ball over the fence in centerfield, scoring both. Rochester dug in their heels and Mishkit got the third out to end the inning.

Not to be outdone Rochester answered back with two runs of their own. Daley Crowley reached base on balls while Mishkit nailed a double, sending Crowley to third. The first pass ball of the game saw Crowley taking advantage by scoring from third. The Rochester fans couldn't have been louder. Bourassa managed another base hit, scoring Mishkit. Bourassa was left on base. Bringing in Bennett McPhetres to pitch for the Rockets, the Lady Presidents scored five. No errors were recorded for the Rockets - just perfectly placed base hits, by Black River.

Rochester didn’t score again in the game but not from a lack of getting on. Seven players were stranded on base. The Lady Rockets’ hits came from McPhetres, another two from Bourassa, M. Pratt, L. Pratt, and a triple from Mishkit in the seventh. Black River went on to score only one more time, a run in the fourth, and stranding five.

McPhetres took the loss for the Lady Rockets (8-2) but not before she would add four K's to her record.

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