PLATTSBURGH — For the third straight season, the Saranac Spartans are Class B sectional champions.
Backed by a commanding performance on the mound from senior Abby Owen and a clutch day at the plate from sophomore catcher Elizabeth Recore, the top-seeded Spartans defeated second seed Northeastern Clinton 6-2 Friday afternoon at Plattsburgh High School.
The win secured Saranac’s 10th sectional title since 2012, and marks the third consecutive year that Sam Campbell’s team has captured a sectional title.
His 13th year with Saranac this season marks his 44th year of coaching, a career spanning from the halls of St. John’s High School, to Seton Catholic, and back to his alma mater at Saranac High School.
Despite all his years in coaching, Campbell’s strategy remains the same.
“We’re confident to a point,” Campbell said. “If they are behind, somebody’s going to do something, and they stay very confident, very focused, and it seems like they enjoy it.
Just like coach Campbell, senior pitcher Abby Owen remained confident that her third straight sectional appearance would be remembered more for her performance rather than her last start.
“I mean, three in a row, it’s, it’s a special number,” Owen said. “I feel like not a lot of people win three sectionals in a row, and this group of girls is super special. So to do it with them is just, it’s amazing.”
NCCS took a brief lead in the second inning when Sierra Boulrice singled and later scored on a Krista Sebert RBI triple. Saranac quickly answered, ending the second inning, with Recore plating Irelyn Ryan on an RBI single to tie the game.
The Spartans broke the seal of the bottle, opening the bottom of the fourth with a two-RBI single from Emma Shelters.
The very next inning saw the Spartans run away with the lead, sparked by a Rowan Ryan sacrifice fly to center, plating Layla Pellerin. Saranac tacked on two more in the fifth, capped off by an RBI single from the bat of Recore to make it 6-1.
Recore, named game MVP alongside Owen, went 3-for-3 with a double, two singles and two RBIs.
Owen was steady and composed throughout, allowing just three hits and striking out six, working through early jams with the help of solid defense and poise.
“You’ve got to focus up there and trust your defense,” Owen said. “I trust them behind me. It’s always helpful to have them.”
Despite being outscored 25-2 in two regular-season losses to Saranac, NCCS came out scrappy and prepared, utilizing small ball, bunting, and staying aggressive on the bases in early innings.
Spartans head coach Sam Campbell credited Cougars coach Carrie McComb for mixing things up.
“You know, the hardest thing to do in sports when you play a team the third time in some playoffs,” Campbell said. “Carrie McComb will have her team prepared. She’ll do some things that we haven’t seen her do all year. She’s using her whole tool basket. And you know, we had to be prepared for that.”
Saranac’s confidence was evident, especially from the bench. The Spartans put the pep in rally, energized their teammates, and were quick on the bases, showing why they’ve become a postseason staple.
The championship also carried added emotion. Addyson Campbell, senior first baseman and granddaughter of coach Campbell, as well as Recore, daughter of third base coach Mike Recore, show why the win was, in many ways, a family affair.
“It’s nice (to have that),” Elizabeth Recore said. “Sure, we have that dynamic. But, even if we’re not actually family, we’re really close anyways.
“We’re a tight knit team, a family.”
With the sectional crown in hand, Saranac now sets its sights on a state title. The Spartans will face Section X champion Canton in a subregional matchup Wednesday, at Cardinal Park. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
“It’s special to have this extra game with the girls,” Owen said. “And, you know, we work hard in practice, and Coach Campbell helps us every single day. He shows up for us.”
“We’re excited. So we’ve got to make it to Wednesday, first, you know, and play that game, and show up to play, like I said, and we’ve got to be loud in the dugout and have good defense.”
—
Saranac 6, NCCS 2
NCCS;010;000;1;-;2;3;4
Saranac;010;230;x;-;6;9;3
Dumas and Johnston. Owen and Recore. WP- Owen. LP- Dumas. 2B- Recore (SCS). 3B- Sebert (NCCS).