WPCNR PRESS BOX, June 4, 2006: Christine Glennon smashed a single up the middle with 2 out in the last of the eighth inning today at North Rockland High, scoring Alexa Tauban from second for the run that beat the White Plains Tigers, 1-0. Tauban lead off the inning with a smash single to right that umpire ruled she was safe at first on a very close play on the snap throw to first by the charging Tiger rightfielder.

Kelsey Kulk pitching in the sixth Sunday afternoon to the Rams Big Bopper. With two Rams on and two out,  second baser Dena Frederick preserved the scoreless tie with a full-tilt boogie, running backhand catch of a Texas League popup over her head in the Bermuda Triangle of short right center, saving two runs. It was the play of the day. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Tauban was sacrificed to second. After Kelsey Kulk in her final splendid outing as a Tiger had induced the lead off hitter to fly out to center for out number two,  Glennon struck the first pitch hard with smoke  perfectly parting the middle of the diamond for a clean ground shot to center. Tauban, off at the crack of the bat allowing her to beat the throw to the plate from centerfield on the inside to score the run that won the championship for the Rams. 

The Tigers first appearance ever in a Section 1 Championship was a gem. They made great plays. Erin Cook made a back hand running catch in dead center to rob North's cleanup hitter of a double in the fourth. Cook made another running backhand catch in left center in the seventh coming in. Dena Frederick saved the game in the sixth making a back to the plate back catch of a Texas League pop in right center that would have scored two runs. Kelsey Kulk allowed 4 hits and fanned 3, and didn't walk anyone. She matched Deanna Minuto frame-by-frame, as each righthander defused jams. 

The Rams' Deanna Minuto in the circle  finessing out of a jam in the Tiger seventh with Kelsey Kulk on second.  Minuto fanned 7 Tigers, did not walk anyone, gave 3 hits and was in total command. Only one Tiger reached third, but was stranded, and that was in the third inning. The Tigers had chances to score in only the third and seventh innings, but Minuto was equal to the challenge, not allowing a hit the last five innings and retiring 12 in a row until hitting Kulk in the top of the seventh. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

 Meanwhile Kulk pitched out of the only two scoring opportunities Clarkstown mustered in the 5th and the 6th.

Talking it Over in the Third. Sandra Mastrangelo stands on third as the Rams talk over strategy. Sandra had blasted a frozen rope drive in the gap for a double in the third, and was sacrificed to third by Erin Cook, but Minuto got the next twoTigers, denying the bid.Photo, WPCNR Sports.

Tiger Senior Captains Kelsey Kulk, left, Carrie Abbott, and Ashley Encanarcao accept the Section 1 Class AA Runnerup plaque as the Clarkstown North team applauds them.This was the first sectional championship appearance in the history of White Plains softball and the girls gave it all they had.  Photo, WPCNR Sports

The Last Warmup: Tigers warmup in the pregame in their traditional infield walkoff. Photo, WPCNR Sports.