Lady Cougars secure BSAL softball title

On Wednesday, May 7th, 2008, the Cougar softball team reached for history with its spectacular nine-inning, come-from-behind 3-2 win against the St. Patrick’s – St. Vincent Bruins. With a convincing victory over Richmond’s Kennedy Eagles on Friday, May 9 the Cougars clinched the BSAL Championship title and secured a great spot in the NCS playoffs.

With recent victories over Holy Names and Salesian, the Cougar softballers finished the BSAL campaign undefeated.

In the Cougar’s May 7th game against its closest rivals, the St. Pats’s Bruins batted first and scored two runs quickly. Things didn’t seem to get better as the Cougars couldn’t answer back as each inning rolled by. The first hit came from senior Laura Cannon in the fourth inning to get the Cougars on base. However, both teams struggled to put runs on the board and the game remained 2-0 for the majority of the contest.

Prior to the bottom of the sixth inning, a furious Cougars coach, Stephanie Vasarhely, decided to call a timeout and inform her players that the game was on the line. She stressed their commitment and dedication to the sport and simply told them to “step it up.”

These words turned into actions as Laura Cannon singled. Cannon was moved to second on a single from sophomore Sabina Khan. Senior Nicole Presher then walked, bringing junior Hannah Kramer to the plate. Kramer rapped a single scoring Canon. Khan was brought home on a single by sophomore Krista Smithers, but Presher was thrown out at home, knotting the game at 2-2. The game remained tied 2-2 through regulation play.

In extra innings, the Cougars took the outfield first and played great defensively with three quick outs. After holding the Bruins scoreless for two innings, the Cougars surprised the Bruins with the star of the game, freshman Ellie Arkin. In the bottom of the ninth, with one out, Arkin stepped up to bat for the first time in the game. Arkin blasted the ball into left field for a triple. Senior Joan Cannon ripped a grounder to bring Arkin – and the win — home.

Albany defeated Kennedy easily to become BSAL champs. Aside from the incredible win over St. Pats, the Cougars still have to go to work in the NCS playoffs coming soon. Winning BSAL puts them in a good position for a higher seed, but the 23-1 Cougars still have to concentrate on the stiff competition they will face during NCS play, which begins the week of May 19.

9 Responses

1. 6:19 PM on May 15th, 2008congratulations:

   congratulations softball team!!! unfortunately, now you guys have to play teams that are actually good i

   i guarantee the softball team doesn’t win NCS

2. 9:54 AM on May 16th, 2008Rashad:

   I actually took two of those pictures, but thanks for the credit.

3. 10:16 AM on May 16th, 2008Congratulations?:

   Whoever wrote that comment about guaranteeing they won’t win NCS : I guarantee you have never been on a real team before, and know nothing about what it takes to win. Coach V. is one of the few people who does.

4. 1:16 PM on May 16th, 2008Journalism Student:

   Great Job Cougars on winning the championshp! And good job Daryn on the compelling story. Good work to ALB!

5. 1:41 PM on May 16th, 2008Hannah:

   who ever said now we hav to play good teams…jst doesn’t even know we’ve already play some really good teams…sorry you dont follow us enough to know but thts cool even tho we have the best record in Nor cal…thanx for you support tho it means alot

6. 5:29 PM on May 16th, 2008Hi hannah:

   um, hannah/…this isn’t a text kinda thing…you don’t have to abbreviate..OK?…luv ya!

   burrito man

   ps..you were very polite to congratulations boy..who is wimp..IMHO

7. 8:58 PM on May 18th, 2008Kanye West:

   Now that don’t kill me
   Can only make me stronger
   I need you to hurry up now
   Cause I can’t wait much longer
   I know I got to be right now
   Cause I cant get much wronger
   Man i’ve been waitin all night now
   That’s how long i’ve been on ya

8. 9:28 PM on May 18th, 2008Tim:

   See everyone Wednesday for the first of the NCS wins at home!
   Go Cougars!

9. 10:35 PM on May 18th, 2008Young Jeezy:

   Albany Softball Let’s GET IT!!!

Comments are closed.