Ichabod Crane softball adds to dynasty with sixth straight section title

MALTA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- From 2018-2023, Ichabod Crane softball owned Class B, winning five straight section titles. The Riders moved up to Class A this season, and didn't skip a beat. They knocked off Glens Falls, 5-1, Thursday night in the sectional championship game at Luther Forest Athletic Fields, growing their section title streak to six.

Ichabod improves to 21-0 on the year, and hasn't lost a game since May 7, 2023.

"It's really special with the teammates that we have," said starting pitcher Kari Graziano before she was doused with water by Emma Holmberg and Meredith Garafalo. "It's gonna be a good rest of the year."

Graziano overcame an early hiccup to toss a complete game, striking out six and only allowing five hits.

The lone blemish came in the top of the first inning when Glens Falls' Izzy Johnson drove in Gianna Endieveri with an RBI single that gave the Black Bears a 1-0 edge.

The Ichabod offense quickly came to Graziano's aid, though, making that run up in the home half of the second inning and adding four more in the third.

"I had no doubt that we were gonna get some runs on the board," said Graziano. "And once they did, I felt so much better in the circle."

"I told them, "Look, that's the only run they're (Glens Falls) getting this game,"" added head coach Tracy Nytransky McComb. ""Let them get that one run; we hammer down, do our job and we're gonna get enough runs to win the game." They believed in it, and here we are."

The equalizing run in the second came courtesy of an RBI groundout by Gabby Wendelken, who plated Makayla Walsh.

The big hit of the evening came off the bat of sophomore shortstop Abbey Milazzo, whose bases-loaded double in the third plated three Riders, giving them a comfortable, 4-1 cushion. Walsh pushed across one more run in the inning with a one-out ground out that brought in Milazzo, who had advanced to third base.

Ichabod Crane shifts its focus to the state tournament, and begins its pursuit of a state title three-peat Thursday, May 30 at Saint Lawrence University. The Riders will take on the champion out of Section 10.

Glens Falls' season wraps up after a strong, 17-5 campaign.