Softball begins with rainouts and losses
Skylar Blankenship
Sports Editor
The women’s softball team lost their first game of the season against Herkimer Community College 9-1 and 18-0 on Wednesday Apr. 5.
In the first six-inning game Cheyanne Mandigo, an outfield engineering major, collected two singles.
In the second five-inning game, Chelsea Stevens, first basewoman and early childhood major, had the Viking’s only RBI, allowing Mandigo to score.
This season, the lady Viking’s first three games versus Mohawk Valley, Columbia Greene and Finger Lakes Community Colleges were postponed due to weather conditions and have yet to be rescheduled. As of Friday morning, their Sunday game against Monroe was also postponed.
All normal season games scheduled through May 7 are doubleheaders unless otherwise noted.
This year’s softball team is starting from scratch with no returning sophomores and a new head coach, George Rafferty, named in 2016. All players are from the capital region.
“I am very happy with their progress, and believe that they are a talented group of girls with a great work ethic,” said Rafferty regarding the creation and preparation of this year’s team.
Rafferty, a former Viking, has been a baseball and softball coach in the Capital Region for over 30 years, including periods at University at Albany, South Troy Dodgers and Tory High School.
While a player at Hudson Valley he was recognized as Outstanding Baseball Athlete of America in 1975. Following that he played at SUNY Brockport and the Albany Twilight League, receiving honors with both organizations.
Along with Rafferty, assistant coach Courtney Brinkman will also be guiding the team.
Prior to the season Rafferty said, “If every athlete gives their best and puts the team before individual goals, winning will take care of itself. Being a great teammate and a person of high integrity is imperative.”
Last year the softball team had a final record of 10-10, ranking second in batting averages at .454 and third in slugging average at .649 in District III of the NJCAA.
Next week the team has a home game on Tuesday at 2 p.m. against SUNY Broome.