Lady Pirates eliminated in Class D final
Ladycats drop 3-2 verdict to Shamrocks

By Dick Sterling
For a few moments on Thursday it appeared that the Heuvelton Lady Bulldogs softball team may have finally have met their match… but in an instant the team that has not lost a game against another Class D team all season, kicked their potent offense into gear, saw their MVP pitcher get back in the groove, and just like that the season came to a close for the Harrisville Lady Pirates.
The Lady Pirates, the number two seed in Class D, earned a trip to the final by slipping past the third seeded Lady Yellowjackets of Madrid-Waddington 4-2 on Tuesday.
Kelsey Dashnaw ripped a two-run single for the Jackets in the top of the first inning. That proved to be the only runs, and the only hit, in the game off Harrisville starter Katie French.
Harrisville responded in the bottom of the first as French delivered a run with a double and Katlyn Hart followed with an RBI triple that tied the game at 2-2.
Jeri Baker gave the Lady Pirates the lead with an run-scoring base hit in the third inning. Mary LaPlatney capped the scoring in the fifth inning when she surprised the Jackets by stealing home on a throw back to the pitcher.
French struck out six and allowed three walks, she also delivered two hits for the Lady Pirate offense. Madrid-Waddington’s pitcher Megan Barney gave up seven hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.
Top seeded Heuvelton advanced to the title game by shutting down fifth seeded Lisbon 11-0.
In Thursday’s championship game Harrisville appeared to have Heuvelton’s MVP pitcher Megan Johnson on the ropes in the very first inning. LaPlatney doubled to lead off the game, Hart reached on a bunt single, French delivered the first Lady Pirate run with a sacrifice fly and Hart then scored on an RBI triple from Ali Wallace.
Heuvelton responded in the bottom of the first by scoring seven runs, taking advantage of walks and singles, and rolled to the 11-2 decision.
Harrisville managed only two hits after the first inning. The Lady Bulldogs made their hits count as they scored their 11 runs on only seven hits, all singles.
Johnson improved to 15-1 on the season and finished with five strikeouts and only two walks.
After the game Heuvelton Coach Mark Henry was named as the Northern Athletic Conference West Division Coach of the Year.
Harrisville concludes a very successful season with an overall record of 13-5.
CLASS B SEMIFINAL
Salmon River 3 Gouverneur 2
Through four innings of the Class B semifinal at Fort Covington, the second seeded Salmon River Shamrocks and third seeded Gouverneur Ladycats breezed behind starting pitchers Krista Oakes (SR) and Saddie Serviss (Gou).
Locked in a scoreless tie, the Ladycats were first to score when Brailee Hartle ripped a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning.
The Lady Shamrocks delivered some key hits of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning and managed to tie the game at two. Karley Cree then untied it with a sacrifice bunt that scored Kaitlin Louzon from third with what proved to be the winning run.
The Ladycats concluded the regular season with an overall record of 9-6. The victory was the 14th in 15 games this year for the Lady Shamrocks, who lost in the title game 8-0 to undefeated Canton.

From Pee Wee to varsity, from the 1900’s to the 2000’s, if you played on the gridiron for the “Gold and Blue” join the Gouverneur Football Alumni Association.
Gouverneur Football coaches, most of whom are alumni, are looking for former players to support the program and bridge the past with the future.
The association initially hopes to rally support to fill the sidelines to cheer our teams on. However, future plans tentatively include Alumni Home Coming Weekend, tailgate parties and possibly an Alumni Scholarship for a graduating senior.
If you are interested in being part of the future of Gouverneur football contact can be made through any of the coaches or by going to: GOUVERNEURFOOTBALL@hotmail.com, where more information can be obtained on how to join and upcoming events. Log in and tell us your name, what year you played and who you played for.
Stay a part of the tradition!
Coaches include varsity football’s Sean Devlin and Justin Young; junior varsity’s Steve Besaw and David Dusharm; Modified’s Timothy Knowlton; Pee Wee Football Director/Coach Stan Young; and association member Mark Dailey.
It should also be noted that there will be a free weekly camp for the mini cats starting Wednesday, July 7,  from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Recreation Fields at Riverview Park (Route 58). High School coaches as well as Pee Wee Football coaches will be there.
There will also be information on the upcoming Brian Leonard Football Camp. The Brian Leonard Football Camp is the week of July 6-10.  Overnight campers July 6-10; commuter campers July 7-10. 
The camp is for all students entering grades 1-12 in the fall.  Applications can be picked up at the High School athletic office or online at www.leonardcamps.com.  For more information go to www.leonardcamps.com or ask any of the Gouverneur Football coaches.