PLATTSBURGH — While gloves were stacked on her head, a trophy was put in her hand and the Section VII championship banner was draped over her, Ticonderoga’s Myleigh Drinkwine kept her composure while answering questions.
This same composure was shown on the mound as she pitched a no-hitter against Northern Adirondack in the Section VII Class C Softball Championship. The Sentinels won, 10-0.
“I was definitely nervous, but having a no hitter, it’s super big,” Drinkwine said. “I’m so thankful for everything, and everyone putting the work in made it a lot easier for me.”
Drinkwine struck out eight batters and walked three. The only threat was a Bobcat that made it to third base late in the game. A strikeout ended that scoring chance.
“You just have to focus on what you’re doing and block everything else out,” Drinkwine said. “And once you do that, you’re good to go.”
It was more than just Drinkwine’s arm that led to the victory. The entire team contributed in some form.
There was a triple by Belle Burroughs that scored a run followed by a single by Avery Lender that plated Burroughs.
The biggest swings came from Addy Moore and Addie Munson, who hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning.
“It felt awesome,” Moore said. “I was gonna say to her when I got home to hit another one. I mean, I didn’t say it, so I didn’t jinx it, and it happened. It was great.”
And it wasn’t just the five core seniors that made this return trip to the sectional final special. Sure, Drinkwine, Moore, Jazlyn Disbrow, Sophia Johndrow and Madilyn Defayette all made their presence known, but the entire team has a bond that supersedes the diamond.
“We were all really close,” Moore said. “I feel like our bond on the field comes from off of the field.
“So I feel like just all of us being so close definitely shows it on the field and always having each other’s backs.”
Moore mentioned how the team seems to spend time together all the time, even including playing the same sports. Many of the team played soccer, followed by basketball and then softball.
“It’s awesome because it’s just us right now,” Drinkwine said. “I’m so thankful that it’s with them.
“We put all the work in when we need to, and we do things like this, and it’s the best thing ever, and I wouldn’t change anyone else for it.”
This was evident in the post game celebrations. As the team huddled around Drinkwine to celebrate, a few tried to carry her off the field to which she emphatically declined.
As the team gathered with family in the outfield, the smiles continued and Drinkwine seemed both happy and relieved. She pitched no-hitters during the regular season against NAC and Moriah, but this one was a little different.
“Definitely a lot more nerve wracking,” she said. “It’s a lot more about keeping your head in the game and keeping everything in the moment.
“It’s a lot easier when it’s not the season on the line.”
And the Sentinels (16-0) now turn their attention back to the state playoffs. Their next game and location is to be determined as Section II’s Stilwater and Section X’s Lisbon. The winner will host Ti, Saturday.
Moore added the team wanted to get back to where they ended last season, and see how far they can take this as a team together.
“It feels really good, just to know that we’re all here together,” she said. “And as we’ve been little, we’ve always talked about winning up on varsity and getting into the state tournament.
“We’ve always talked about it, and it’s finally here. It’s just crazy.
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Ti 10, NAC 0
NAC;000;000;0;-;0;0;4
TCS;330;202;x;-;10;12;0
Cook and Gilmore. Drinkwine and Munson. WP- Drinkwine. LP- Munson. 3B- Burroughs (TCS) HR- Moore (TCS), Munson (TCS)