Newburgh - Nancy Holbrook is not sure his heart can handle more excitement.
Middletown head coach's retirement tour has been extended for at least a week as her Bears played three games at the top of the seventh inning (just a few minutes after the first score of the throwing game) to beat Monroe-Woodbury 3-1 in the Class AAA Championship game on May 30.
“Oh my god, like the past few weeks, Holbrook said she cried when she talked about the end of her coaching career. “Game…oh my god, I can’t take it.” Thank God I am going to retire. ''
Middletown entered the playoffs on May 19 with a double sweep from Newburgh. The Bears then upset the top-seeded Pine Pine Bush with a 3-2 record in the semifinal on May 28.
Middletown escaped the danger of failure again. Seventh in 1-0, 8th time batsman Sophia Sanchez ranked first on MW pitcher Isabella Brelesky's gloves. Hailey Rodriguez put a short team in front of the plate, but the throw of the first base sailed on the fielder on the cover. UP stomped batsman Alissandra Soto, who smashed a 1-0 game, fell on the twisted left fielder and only hit the fence to get two shots. One after that, Alyssa Platero listed a RBI single as 3-1 lead on the left.
"I just wanted to get the ball into the game to be honest," Soto said.
Soto also won the tenth inning to beat Pine Bush in the semifinals.
"You have to serve the ball and achieve it," Hallbrook said.
Monroe is in sixth place. Gabby Schaeffer released a leading walk, Ava Hayes moved her away with a sacrificed short hand, and Cori Exarchakis ripped the RBI singles into the center.
No. 4 Middletown (11-8) - The bear has seven seniors. "It was a year, if we were to understand it," Hallbrook said. Middletown won the AA title in 2016. … That was the Bears' victory with two runs or games. … The Bears won three of four games against Monroe.
Monroe No. 2 - Woodbury (12-6) - Monroe has four seniors. ...The Crusaders were championed by Isabella Brelesky and singles Nadia Jemison, Brelesky and Cori Exarchakis. …MW has stranded seven runners and scored three. …Bresky snatched four batsmen. ...Monroe is the AA champion in 2022 and 2023. The last time MW lost to 2016 was Middletown.
"You can only believe that they did it." - Middletown coach Nancy Holbrook
"It feels really good. … It's a lot of hard work, tears, blood... I know it sounds like everyone says that's true.
Middletown will score the Part 4 title (Corning Painted Post or Elmira) in the State AAA quarterfinals held in Monroe-Woodbury on June 7. A win will win the Bears to bring the Bears to the state finals for the first time since 1985 (semi-finals) and 1987 (final defeat).
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