by TYLER HATHAWAY
Bloomfield suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Berne-Knox-Westerlo (II) in the NYS Class C championship game on Saturday, ending a historic season that saw the Bombers (21-3) claim their first sectional title, regional title, and state championship appearance. Despite the loss, head coach Mark Jacobs knows his team has a lot to be proud of.
“We started the year with three goals. To win the sectional championship, which we accomplished. To get to the state finals, which we accomplished. And a goal to win the final. We just came up a little short today.”
The Bombers had a chance to grab a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.
“We did execute a squeeze play that we wanted to,” said Jacobs. “We hit the ball right on the nose, runner at third, and they threw her out at home. It was a bang-bang play. Just got unlucky there.”
In the bottom of the sixth inning, after Berne-Knox-Westerlo claimed the lead in the top of the frame, Bloomfield was able to load the bases. However, the Bombers weren’t able to get a runner across home plate.
“We certainly had our opportunities,” Jacobs explained. “The girls never stopped. They believed right till the end.”
Bloomfield fell in the sectional final in two of the previous three seasons. Jacobs thinks that the success his team found this year didn’t just made history for the program, but for themselves.
“This was a monkey on our back. I’ve had this main group of girls since they were in 8th grade. We went to the sectional title (in ‘21) while starting a seventh grader and four eighth graders and lost. We went to the sectional title again (and lost) the next year. Last year we kicked away our first round game. Forget just the history of this program, the history of this ballclub just to get that monkey off of our backs was huge.”
Ashlyn Wright pitched a one-hitter and struck out nine batters. Abby O’Brien singled and drew a walk. Add Falsone and Brianna Leitten each placed base hits. Syd Falsone was walked twice, and Calla McCombs and Marlee Poole each got on base once via a walk.
“I can’t say enough how good these girls are as athletes and players, and how much better they are as young ladies,” Jacobs said of his team. “They stuck together, never pointing fingers when something went bad. They were always picking each other up. That’s probably what I’m most proud of about this group this year.”
Only one of the 13 players on Bloomfield’s roster is graduating after this season.
“This season’s gonna help us next year, and it’s gonna help us even today,” said Jacobs. “Once we get over this, and really take a minute to look back at what we accomplished, we won’t be anything but proud of our efforts from this season.“
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