HCS Softball Season Ends

RFH 2010, HCS Softball

Sat, Jun 11, 2011

The Lady Emerald Knights dream season ended with a 3-1 loss to Livingston Manor in a steady rain today.

QUEENSBURY -- The Hamilton softball season ended in a steady rain here today as the Lady Emerald Knights lost 3-1 to a Livingston Manor team powered by the New York State player of the year.

After about a two hour rain delay and a change of fields, the HCS girls came up against the Wildcats' senior pitcher Marissa Diescher, who was easily the strongest pitcher the Lady Emerald Knights faced during its 21-3 season. Diescher, who last year signed to play for Penn State, was tough on the mound and scored two of the Wildcats' three runs.

Diescher pitched back-to-back no-hitters Saturday. After beating Hamilton, she and her Livingston Manor teammates overpowered Batavia Notre Dame 8-0.

"We have nothing to be ashamed of," HCS Coach Bill Dowsland said after the game.

And, Dowsland was impressed with Diescher, saying, "She throws gas. She's New York State player of the year for a reason. We faced a true Division I athlete today." Dowsland estimated that Diescher was throwing i9n the mid-60 mph, even in the rain.

Diescher even got things started for Livingston Manor with a first inning triple, which she turned into a home run on a Hamilton error. Manor also scored single runs in the third and fourth.

Hamilton scratched out its lone run in the bottom of the sixth when Katie Weeks drew a walk with one out. She did her best Willie Sutton act, stealing second and third, then coming home on a wild pitch.

Wild pitches plagued both teams as a steady rain made the ball slippery and the field sloppy.

"It's a shame you get to this level and have to play in weather like this," said Dowsland. "But it's not an excuse. The weather was bad for both teams."

Hamilton tried doing what it did successfully throughout the season: get someone on base any way possible and then move them around with slick base running and timely sacrifices.

"We tried to play a short game to and force them to make plays," said Dowsland. "And, they made plays."

Dowsland remained upbeat after a tough loss in the worst playing conditions imaginable.

"I could not be prouder of our girls," said Dowsland. "Everyone had a hand in our success this year. They are such good kids. I told them they each have 16 sisters on this team; they're like 17 daughters to me."

Senior Sara Watkins was given one of two sportsmanship awards for the game.