Chester girls named tournament champs

Herkimer, N.Y. —This year over the spring break, the Chester varsity girls’ softball team traveled to Herkimer, N.Y., to participate in the fifth annual invitational tournament of the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports. In the first game of the tournament, held April 17 and 18, Chester fell short, losing to Duanesburg High (state-ranked sixth) of Section 2 by a score of 3-2. Kristin Jung and Krissy VanBenscoten led Chester’s offense. Jung went 2 for 3 with 2 doubles, while VanBenscoten went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. In the second game of the day, Chester defeated Waterloo by a score of 6-2. Waterloo, a powerhouse from Section 5, was ranked fifth in the state last year. The winning pitcher, Kristin Jung, struck out 9 while scattering 7 hits. Chester’s offense was provided by Caitlyn Rooney 3 for 4, Kerri Brosnan 2 for 3, Kristin Jung 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, and Brittany Clifford 1 for 3 with a double and 1 RBI. Jessica Lakis and Amanda McCarthy singled for Chester. On day 2 of the tournament, Chester defeated Galway of Section 2 by a score of 10-0. The game was called after the fifth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule. Kristin Jung pitched 5 scoreless innings, striking out 9 while allowing 3 hits. Kayla Cabacungan and Amanda Benitez led Chester’s offense each going 2 for 3 with Cabacungan adding 2 RBI’s. Rooney, Brosnan and Jung each added singles for Chester. In the final game of the tournament, Chester defeated Section 2’s Canajoharie by a score of 12-0. This game was also called after 5 innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. Krissy VanBenscoten pitched a one-hitter, striking out 6 to give Chester its second shutout of the day. Leading Chester’s offense was VanBenscoten, who went 2 for 3 with a triple and 2 RBI’s, and Kristin Jung, who went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s. Amanda Benitez went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s, and Kayla Cabacungan went 2 for 3. Keri Brosnan and Danielle Englehart also had hits for Chester. At the end of the day, the Chester players were presented with a plaque naming them co-champions of the tournament. Kristin Jung and Krissy VanBenscoten shared the honors as tournament Most Valuable Players for Chester. The Hambletonians improved their record to 4 and 3.