Everyone would love to enter the playoffs with an unblemished record and a chance to go undefeated. But for a team expecting to contend for a state title, there is more value in being battle-tested ― even at the expense of the record and some statistics.
“I wanted to make sure that we had a schedule that would challenge us,” Marlboro softball coach Andrea Schoonmaker said. “Taking on tough teams better prepares us for the postseason.”
The Iron Dukes understand the “big fish in a small pond” pitfalls, certainly after knocking off an undefeated section champion in the regional en route to the Class B state final last spring. With that in mind, Marlboro sought to fill its non-league schedule with large-school opponents.
There at least would’ve been lessons to extract even if those matchups resulted in blowout losses. What we’ve learned, though, is that the Dukes would be formidable in an aquarium or an ocean.
Leah Gunsett pitched a two-hitter with seven strikeouts Wednesday, leading Marlboro to a 6-0 win over Arlington, which is among the state’s largest high schools.
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“It was a big win for us,” Schoonmaker said of beating Arlington, a Class AAA team that is a perennial contender in Section 1. “Arlington is a great program and they’re well-coached, and our girls were really excited to face that kind of competition.”
They were even more excited to dominate. Gunsett also went 2 for 3 and drove in two runs.
“She’s stepped up big-time and I’m really proud of her,” Schoonmaker said of Gunsett, a senior. “She’s taken on a leadership role and is someone the girls look to. Ella She sets the pace for us, not just because she’s a pitcher, but also because of who she is to the group.”
Taylor Castellani was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI for Marlboro (11-1). Emma Jackson went 2 for 3 with an RBI, Kalista Birkenstock was 1 for 3 with two stolen bases and two runs, and Lily Sullivan went 1 for 3 with a double.
Marlboro scored twice in the first then added a run in each inning except the fifth and sixth. Its offense is averaging 10.6 runs per game and has shown improvement in some areas since last season.
Their loss came last weekend on the road, falling 4-3 to Section 2’s Guilderland. That followed an 11-2 win over Saratoga Springs, another Class AAA squad. The Albany area is typically well represented in the state tournament and those games were sought for that reason.
“At first they were a little bummed because nobody wants to lose,” Schoonmaker said of his team’s reaction to the Guilderland loss. “But we talked about it afterwards and discussed things we could’ve done better or differently. And they realized that having a game like that is better for us in the long run.”
The addition of Class AAA last fall prompted the reconfigured classifications that moved Marlboro up to Class A this season. But their opposing talent search isn’t limited to just schools more than twice their size. The Dukes compete this Saturday in the Morabito Memorial tournament in Binghamton and among their opponents is Deposit-Hancock, the two-time defending Class D state champion.
“We have a group of girls who are talented and hungry to get better every day,” the coach said. “They understand their potential and they want to strive to be great.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
