Shaker soaking it in before semis
LATHAM, N.Y. » Alissa Folts went out to lunch on Saturday, when someone she didn’t know and had never met came up to her. The woman asked Folts if she was on the Shaker softball team, and the leadoff center fielder confirmed.
The woman excitedly wished Folts luck. Following their first Section II title in 15 years, and a win on Friday in the New York State playoffs, the Shaker players have adopted something of a celebrity status.
“It’s been crazy,” Folts said. “Just walking through the halls at school, everyone says congratulations. Good job. Keep it going.”
The Blue Bison entered the Section II tournament not playing their best softball. They were the No. 5 seed, just one year after get-
ting bounced early as the No. 1 seed. They’ve won the last three games as the acting road team, and are just two wins away form winning the Class AA state title. Next up is a semifinal bout against Binghamton High School, a program that actually won the state title a season ago.
A couple of the players drove to Yorktown to scout Binghamton on Saturday. Now they have an idea who they’ll be facing. They’ll get a chance to see who stands between them and an unprecedented accomplishment. Their next game will take place at Moreau Park at 11:30 a.m. The winner plays the winner
of East Meadow vs. Victor for the state championship at 4 p.m. Saturday.
“I think it’s been a really fast-paced season,” fourthyear head coach Kristin Calahan said. “So for us to be able to have some time to think about it has been positive. It’s been huge. We’ve gotten so much support from the administrators here, former coaches, former players. Players that we coached in the past when our team wasn’t necessarily the most successful.”
One of the biggest supporters is Jen Haver, who still works at the high school. She’s a special education teacher and was the head coach in 2002, the last time Shaker played in the state tournament.
It’s all been a rallying
point for a program that didn’t have a regular season indicative of the postseason success they’re currently boasting. After a loss to Shenendehowa and an ugly win against Saratoga, there was a team meeting held by the captains. All the players were able to air our their concerns and re-focus.
Since then, there’s been a tangible difference and it’s translating to win after win after win. This is Shaker’s last week in the spotlight. And they’re making it count.
“It’s kind of surreal,” senior pitcher Allie Lajeunesse said. “It’s hard to imagine that we’re still playing even though school’s wrapping up. But it’s awesome. Everyone’s putting their heart on the field.”