Minisink Valley upends Kingston

Catcher Kourtney Ketcham doubled in two runs and picked off a runner to end the game Friday night as unbeaten Minisink Valley rallied to upend Kingston High’s softball team 3-2 in an Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association crossover game.

Alyssa Finno gave the (7-3) Tigers the lead with a two-run homer in the third inning in this clash of state-ranked teams. Minisink (14-0) is ranked sixth in Class AA and Kingston 14th.

Lauren Shambo (five strikeouts, one walk) shut out Minisink on one hit until the bottom of the sixth.

Shambo, who finished with a four-hitter, issued her only walk to start the sixth. A one-out single set up Ketcham’s tying double with two out. Alexandra Schoellig followed with a RBI single to give the Warriors the lead.

Kingston threatened in the top of the seventh. Kailyn Lukaszewski singled to left with one out, moved to second on a passed

ball and went to third on Finno’s two-out single up the middle. Shannon Bonewit worked a walk to load the bases and bring up slugger Jessica Chilcott, who had already doubled.

“The whole game they weren’t pitching to Jess. Bases loaded, two out, Jess Chilcott up — what better position to be in,” Kingston coach Trishann Hayes remarked.

On a 1-1 pitch, Ketcham threw down to third and hit Lukaszewski in the back.

“There’s a 95 percent chance she’s going to be throwing down again and Ketcham has a reputation for throwing,” Hayes

noted.

On the very next pitch, Ketcham throws again and picks the runner off. Game over.

“She didn’t miss,” Hayes said. “She was right on the money.”

Kingston struck for 10 hits off Minisink hurler Alayna Savaglio, who had eight strikeouts. Kingston had plenty of opportunities, stranding seven on base.

“It is frustrating, but it was a learning experience,” Hayes said. “We have to learn from this.”

Finno had three hits on the day, adding a double to her single and home run. Lukaszewski had a pair of hits.

Kingston is home 4:30 p.m. Monday to play Newburgh Free Academy.