Keuka Park, NY - A famed English proverb notes that "all good things must come to an end." But wow, what a finish to one of the most exciting (and, at times, most frustrating!) softball seasons in recent memory.
PBU began 2008 with just a 1-10 mark through their first 11 games. But despite the horrific opening, the Crimson Eagles made sure 2008 would be a season to remember, becoming the first softball team ever at PBU to win an NCAA III playoff game.
But unsatisfied to settle for a solo win in postseason play, PBU one-upped the bar by advancing to the NEAC championship, a feat most probably figured was highly unrealistic halfway through the year considering the team's sluggard start.
But for all of PBU's admirable resiliency and "we-won't-give-up" mentally throughout the past half a month, their determined spirit wasn't quite enough to upend a Keuka College squad that by-and-large rolled through conference play all year as the Storm defeated PBU for the second time in two days, this time by a count of 6-3.
Day two of the grueling playoff series began with a matchup on Saturday morning against a Penn State Berks squad PBU had dealt a 6-2 loss less than 20 hours before. But after to falling to Keuka in somewhat devastating fashion the previous evening, PBU needed to recover quickly Saturday.
No worries. The Crimson Eagles disposed of the Nittany Lions 9-0 on the heels of a tremendous game on the hill from junior Ashley Melendez. Melendez allowed just five hits through five innings and gave up only three walks. The shutout marks her second straight and fourth on the year.
Deadlocked at 0-0 through one, PBU exploded for six scores in the top of the second fueled by five hits and three Berks' defensive errors. The Crimson Eagles scored solo runs in the next three consecutive innings and belted out 12 hits for the game, marking just the second time in the past six outings that PBU has managed to churn out double-digits hits.
The victory advanced the group into the NEAC championship where the Crimson Eagles would need back-to-back victories against Keuka to secure the title.
It wasn't to be.
PBU left seven runners on base and generated just five hits through the game, falling 6-3 to the host institution. The Crimson Eagles scored two runs in the top of the second to go ahead 2-0, but the Storm dealt a major blow in the bottom of the inning, scoring all six of their runs in the stanza to steal a four run advantage. Keuka pumped out five of their nine hits for the game in the inning while walking twice, scattering around four singles and a double to take the commanding lead.
PBU had a prime opportunity in the third after loading the bases with just one out, but a pair of ground-outs left the visitors short and in desperate need of offensive rally in the final three innings. Unfortunately, it never came.
Keuka's pitching staff closed out the afternoon by retiring the side in three of the last four innings, allowing just a single hit during the span which came in the top of the seventh. PBU's push wouldn't be enough as Keuka held on for a three run victory to secure their second consecutive NEAC title.
Junior Jessica Ogden finished the afternoon with three hits, two RBI's, and three runs, while sophomore catcher Jennifer Steward chipped in three hits and three runs. Junior Ashley Melendez added three hits, three RBI's and a score, while sophomore Betsy Ranck and junior Bethany Hill both sprinkled two hits around the infield throughout the day.
Ogden, Steward, and sophomore Lauren Roth were each named to the NEAC All-Conference First Team. Hill and freshman Caroline DeHart were both recognized as Honorable Mention All-Conference.
PBU completes the year with a 17-17 record overall.
