GRAHAMSVILLE — The Lady Bears were back in action on Monday night after a road win over Livingston Manor on Friday and Sullivan West’s tournament on Saturday. The Lady Bears opened the afternoon by celebrating their four seniors: Emily Rusin, Daniella Bell, Abbigail Mentnech and Riley Kelly. They ended the afternoon with a huge league win over Burke Catholic, taking down the Eagles 16-4 in six innings.

Abbigail Mentnech, who is a third year Varsity softball player, Valedictorian of the class of 2024, and Treasurer of National Honor Society, is going to the University of Virginia in the fall and studying Astronomy.  

Daniella Bell is studying Construction at Sullivan County BOCES and currently completing an internship in Real Estate which she hopes to work in upon graduation.  Daniella is a third year varsity softball player who earned section All-Star team last year and offensive player of the year award.

Riley Kelly is a third year varsity softball player, a member of the National Honor Society and FBLA. Riley will be attending the University of Hartford in the fall, studying radiologic technology, specializing in MRIs. Riley was Sullivan County Democrat All Star last year.

Emily Rusin is a fourth year varsity softball player who has earned multiple Sullivan County Democrat All-Star Team designations, and last year earned All Section Team designation as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Emily is the President of Student Council, secretary of National Honor Society, and Secretary of FBLA. Next year she will be going to University of Buffalo, attending the Business School of Management.

Burke had two seniors playing: Mary Grasso and Megan Madigan.

Burke opened up the game with some production from the top of the order, drawing two early walks before both runs were driven in by a single. Tri-Valley pitcher Jenna Carmody worked around the two run single and three walks in the frame by stranding two Eagles on base.

In the home half of the first, the Bears followed suit with two leadoff walks. Carmody scored first for Tri-Valley on a passed ball. A bases loaded walk brought in the second TV run. The third run was scored via a passed ball, and a fourth was scored on a double to left field. A second TV runner was tagged out attempting to score on the double, and a flyout ended the inning with two runners stranded and four runs scored.

Carmody worked around a leadoff single in the second inning and retired the next three batters in order.

Back at the plate, the Bears batted around, scoring five times and extending their lead to 9-2. Drawing six walks in the inning, Tri-Valley stayed disciplined at the plate.

Much like the second inning, Carmody had to work around a leadoff single. She did so with ease, earning three straight outs to put up the second clean inning in a row.

All nine Bears had an at-bat in the third, with an additional three runs scoring as the team took a 12-2 lead. They ended the inning with the bases loaded, but continued to take advantage of scoring opportunities.

After the Eagles went down quietly in the fourth, Tri-Valley added an insurance run and stranded runners at all three bags as they continued to reach base.

Despite being down a handful of runs, Burke was determined to keep the game going as they headed into the fifth trailing by 11.

“Burke doesn’t go away easily no matter what the situation is, but our girls were able to rebound from their mistakes and clean up their gameplay. I’m proud of the way the girls played today and the discipline they showed,” commented TV head coach Kim Costa.

The Eagles were able to plate two runs in the inning after a single and two doubles made it a nine-run game.

For the first time all afternoon, the Bears failed to add to their lead in the fifth. Despite having runners on second and third with one out, the Eagles were able to put up a scoreless inning and send it to the sixth.

The Eagles got runners to second and third in the inning but were unable to score, bringing up the Bears with a chance to end the game.

Thanks to some production from the middle of the order, Tri-Valley was able to plate three runs and walk off with a senior night win.

When asked what her team is focused on next, Coach Kim Costa had this to say, “We are ready for Sullivan West tomorrow, and we are looking forward to Sectionals. I have a feeling this could be a State Championship team.”

Kaitlin Stungis paced the offense for TV, going 3-5 with two singles and a double, three RBI and a run scored. Jenna Carmody went 2-4 with a triple, single, two stolen bases, an RBI and four runs scored.

Jenna Carmody pitched the first five innings striking out eight. Avery Carrier pitched the sixth and earned two strikeouts.