The Rhinebeck Hawks were involved in the longest title game in Mid-Hudson Athletic League history when they tangled with Marlboro in Friday's league championship game played at SUNY New Paltz.
When the dust had cleared, the Hawks fell just short against the Lady Dukes, falling by a score of 2-1 in 10 innings.
Rhinebeck had a chance to go ahead in the top of the eighth inning after Olivia Rogine singled and reached second base on a passed ball. The Hawks couldn't get a clutch hit against Marlboro ace, Courtney Schmelz, to finish the deal so they came away empty-handed. Karen Kirker also slapped a basehit in the ninth inning but she was also left stranded.
Marlboro finally pushed the winning run across the plate in the 10th inning. With a runner starting at second base via the international tie-breaker rule, the Dukes advanced her to third with a ground out. The game was decided when a throw to the plate on a fielder's choice scooted away, allowing the winning run to score.
Megan Michie was phenomenal once again. The talented junior spun a tw-hitter while allowing only one base on balls. Michie sent 15 Marlboro batters back to the bench after strikeouts.
Rhinebeck scored its first run when Paige Albano hammered a single that was followed up by an RBI single off the batt od Candace Bernitt. The Hawks could only manage four hits on the afternoon.
