First-team player profiles
TORI DECKER The senior led Rondout Valley to its first sectional title in 13 years, tossing a six-hit shutout over Chester. She struck out 65, walked 20 and had a 2.64 ERA and batted .371 for the Ganders. She drove in 27 runs, hit four homers while striking out just five times. She forced batters into many comebackers and committed only one error.
MADCHEN KNAUSS The senior was 15-4 for a Roosevelt squad that went 18-4 and won the Mid-Hudson Athletic League title. Knauss, who had 10 games without a walk, issued just 11 passes overall in 122 innings. She batted .346 for the Presidents with 23 RBI, seven doubles, a home run and 18 runs scored. EMILY LUTZ The sophomore continues Ellenville’s long tradition of standout catchers. She led Ellenville in runs scored (22), RBI (12) and hits (18, which included seven doubles, four triples and a home run). She caught 15 games for the Devils and batted .305 for the year. CARLY CORREA Marlboro’s eighth-grade first baseman had an impact season for the Dukes, batting .492 with 31 hits, including nine doubles. She drew nine walks and scored 19 times. She had an on-base percentage of .555 and an OPS of 1.190. ALYSSA FINNO Kingston’s standout second baseman had a big senior season. She hit .385 for the Tigers with 25 hits (including a double, two triples and two homers), 9 RBI and scored 17 runs scord.
Finno had 25 putouts and 24 assists and fielded .891. JO SCHMIDT Pine Plains’ junior shortstop batted .508 with 27 RBI and 23 runs scored. She struck out only three times. Her 36 hits includes 10 doubles, two triples and a pair of home runs for a .789 slugging percentage. She had a 1.346 OPS.
LIZ GROSS The junior played a steady third base for Roosevelt. She had 59 assists and committed just two errors. She hit .380 for the Presidents with 23 RBI and 23 runs. She had a great eye as the team’s No. 3 hitter, drawing 19 walks. SYDNEY BONEWIT The junior committed only two errors playing center field for Kingston. She hit .435 as the Tigers’ leadoff batter with 19 runs scored, a dozen RBI and 27 hits. MACKENZIE FISCHER Rondout Valley’s junior center fielder batted .320 and slugged .413 as the Ganders’ leadoff hitter. She walked and scored twice in the Section 9, Class B title win over Chester. She also had a .910 fielding percentage. HALEY STRANG The junior outfielder is as well know for her diving catches in center as for her leadoff batting for Pine Plains. She hit .371 for the Bombers with 20 RBI, 38 runs, four doubles, three triples and a home run. MELONIE PAPULI Marlboro’s junior pitcher had 76 strikeouts, but also helped her own cause. She hit .370 with 23 hits and drew six walks.