WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. May 20, 2005: In an elegant softball game this afternoon, The White Plains Fast Pitch Tigers behind Kelsey Kulk's changeup from another planet, whitewashed Arlington, 1-0 in White Plains first step in the Sectionals. It was the first time ever a Tiger team has gotten past the fast pitch power house from the Minisink Valley.

Three for the Win: The Kulkster throwing the final third strike Friday afternoon with the tying run on third. Ashley Encarnacao on first, drove in Sandra Mastrangelo, the catcher, with the winning run, singling for the only Tiger hit. while Kelsey Kulk pitched a 3-hit shutout with two threats. Photo by WPCNR Sports

The winning run was scored in the Tiger fourth when Sandra Mastrangelo worked a walk with one out on a 3-1 count. Kulk hitting next was fooled on a change and hit a slow roller to second that allowed the tow-headed catcher to reach second, while Arlington's second sacker had to go to first for the out. Good as a sacrifice.

That brought up Ashley Encarnacao, Tiger First Sacker, who took one and then concentrating all the way got down on a knee-high strike and ripped a snake up the middle just beyond the reach of the Arlington "Hoover" at short who'd been making plays all afternoon. 

Into centerfield it went. Coach O'Donnell calmly directed Sandra winging around third to the plate! The centerfielder was slow picking up the ball and threw high to home. Mastrangelo slid in in plenty time and the Tigers had their run. Observers noted Sandra would have been out if the centerfielder had not blooped the throw. The only mistake Arlington made.

FIRST PITCH. Million Dollar Infield: Dena Frederick at third, shortened up, Kelsey Kulk delivering in the circle. Carrie Abbott short, Candace Abbott at second and Ashley Encarnacao at first. Christine Younkin is out in right field. Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Tigers play the winner of R.C. Ketcham-Yonkers either Monday or Tuesday. 

Kulk was "on" today, pitching her finest game of the season under pressure. After a leadoff double to start the game, Kulk induced a pop to short and fanned the three and four hitters. Arlington did not threaten again until the seventh. Kels struck out seven and did not walk anybody. Arlington's only walk of the game (issued to start the bottom of the fifth)lead to the winning run. Jen O'Toole pitched superbly for the Admirals, allowing only Ashley's one hit.

Kulk had her changeup dazzling the Arlies today. It hung up there like tantalizing fruit making the Arlington big sticks swing haltingly. The thing comes in like a rainbow curve, you cannot wait to swing then it steals away down, almost like a drop ball. It was so effective Kelsey threw it twice in a row to the same  hitters at least three times and they looked worse on the second consecutive change than they looked on the first.

Gloves Golden.

"The Ash" (Ashley Encarnacao) in addition to driving in the winning tally, had soft sure hands today at first base stretching like a ballerina to secure outs at the number one bag. In the sixth, Dena Frederick playing third, made a lightning strike "Ole" to her glove side snaring a wicked hop and winged it to first. The Ash stretched and picked it 3 inches off the ground for the out.

In the top of the seventh, after the tying run had been sacrificed to second, Carrie Abbott at short saved the game with a quick dash to her right in the hole, making a nifty sure backhand stop, planted and got off a long low throw to a stretching Encarnacao at first nabbing the runner for out number two -- instead of the game being tied.

Encarnacao, O'Donnell says, has an incredible stretch at first. Friday afternoon it meant a big difference.

"Dr. K" Fans 7

In the circle Kelsey Kulk had wonderful command of a changeup that yours truly felt she must have learned from Gaylord Perry or Lew Burdette. I was thinking she might have put some lip gloss on it it was so slippery, darting and alive. The thing was incredible today acting more like a knuckleball, diving down like it was falling off a table.

Arlington's Axe Swingers hit 8 popups to the infield off it, four infield grounders and had only three drives to the outfield. Kelsey walked no one and fanned seven.

Senior Captains Candace Abbott, left and Christine Younkin go out for the traditional meeting at home plate. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Three Outs! Three Down and No One Got Around. Photo by WPCNR Sports.