VALATIE — Pitchers often feel more comfortable when a batter has two strikes against them, knowing the chances are enhanced to record an out when such a scenario takes place. Tuesday afternoon, Ichabod Crane junior third baseman Ava Heffner showed hitting with two strikes is simply a dangerous proposition for the opposition.
The slugging standout clubbed home runs in the first and second innings, each time having two strikes against her as Heffner launched a two-run blast in the opening frame against Shaker and followed up with a three-run shot in the second inning. Sophomore pitcher Kara Graziano continued her superlative work inside the circle by tossing a six-hitter with 11 strikeouts as Ichabod Crane produced an impressive 12-2 non-league victory over the Blue Bison.
Ichabod Crane (6-0 overall), winners of the 2022 Class B state championship, has now outscored its opponents 85-6. The Riders seized command immediately when Heffner clubbed a 2-2 changeup by Shaker pitcher Hannah Hipwell to provide her team a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
“I prepared for it the entire time. I saw the ball and hit the ball,” said Heffner, who hit her third and fourth home runs of the season and increased her career total to 21.
“She is a hard out, no matter what,” Ichabod Crane coach Tracy Nytransky McComb said of Heffner, a Class B third team all-state selection in 2022. “She is a big, strong kid. Anything you throw her over the middle of the plate is going to go a long distance.”
Hipwell ran into trouble again in the second inning after retiring the first two batters. Abbey Milazzo singled, Meredith Garafalo walked and senior shortstop Emma Scheitinger drove home Milazzo with an RBI single to center. Heffner fell behind1-2 in the count, but smacked a fastball to center to make it 6-0.
“The second time was a little bit of a surprise to me,” Heffner…
Read the full article here