Ichabod Crane softball handles Hudson Falls to land in Class A final

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Ichabod Crane softball train "kept a-rollin'" Tuesday with a 15-0 win over Hudson Falls in the semifinal round of the Section II, Class A tournament. The Riders will compete for a staggering sixth straight section title Thursday.

Just about everyone in the Ichabod Crane lineup contributed to the victory. But no one had a bigger day at the dish than Ava Heffner, who went 4-4 with eight runs batted in, including a game-clinching grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning that triggered the mercy rule.

"I think I was just seeing the ball good; making good contact," said Heffner. "I believed in my teammates; my teammates believed in me, and we got the job done."

In the month of May, the Riders have outscored their seven opponents 91-7, and have a +33 run differential in their two sectional games.

"We had a bunch of new girls this year, so [it] really was a new squad starting out," said head coach Tracy Nytransky McComb. "We had to really start gelling together. We were winning games, but we weren't winning them together. Probably the last two weeks, or so, we've really come together as a team. They're all rootin' for each other, and we're all, like...on the same page, and everybody wants to win for each other."

"We're a very young group. We've learned to be together, and come together as a team," added Hefner. "Kick butt like we have been, and it's really fun. It's a great journey to be a part of."

Heffner wasn't the only Rider, though, to have a perfect day at the plate. Shortstop Abbey Milazzo went 4-4 with four runs scored, and starting pitcher Kari Graziano went 2-2 with three RBI. She also allowed just one hit in five innings of work in the circle, while striking out eight.

Ichabod played Glens Falls in the last two Class B championship games, and the two sides will meet again in the Class A final Thursday at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.

Hudson Falls' season comes to an end. The Tigers finish with a 12-7 overall record.