Stephen Haynes

2 weeks ago | poughkeepsiejournal.com | Stephen Haynes

Fate — and, yeah, scheduling — created a saccharine moment last week that highlighted a coaching lineage. It also brought on some reflection on the recent history of Pine Plains softball and a glimpse, perhaps, of what its future might be. “I brought my team into the visiting dugout, and it hit me like, ‘I’ve never sat in here before,’” Our Lady of Lourdes coach Haley Strang said with a laugh. “Cleaning up after games is the only time I’d ever even been in there.

3 weeks ago | poughkeepsiejournal.com | Stephen Haynes

RHINEBECK ― Francisca Dickens playfully quizzed Gwen Dampf while on the sideline, asking her teammate to name the plays corresponding with random numbers on her wristband. Without hesitation, the quarterback rattled off the verbiage and detailed each player’s assignment, reciting it as easily as the lyrics to a hit song. When the sophomore first was given an offensive playbook, she made flashcards for each play.

3 weeks ago | lohud.com | Stephen Haynes

WAPPINGERS FALLS ― John Esposito’s talent and tireless drive had won the admiration of his coaches, those qualities earning him a promotion to the varsity level as a sophomore. The pitcher, coach Pat Mealy said, “is the kind of the kid you love to root for” because of his demeanor. One of those endearing traits is patience, because Esposito understood it would be a long wait for the mound given the stars in their rotation and the expectations of this baseball team.

3 weeks ago | poughkeepsiejournal.com | Stephen Haynes

NEW PALTZ — After performing before a large audience, including some professional baseball scouts, Jack Maiale lamented his changeup not being as sharp. A few times, the right-hander said, he “babied” the pitch, not throwing it with the appropriate arm action, almost telegraphing it. “I gave up some hits on it,” Maiale said on May 12. “I would’ve liked to have done better with the change.

4 weeks ago | poughkeepsiejournal.com | Stephen Haynes

HIGHLAND — With her left leg elevated and plastic bags serving as a makeshift raincoat to protect the cast, Amelia DelForno sat in a wheelchair on the sideline, paying little mind to the weather and cheering vigorously. “I really wish I could be out there with them,” the Highland senior said. “I feel like I can’t do enough to help.”But she’s done plenty, her girls lacrosse teammates insisted. “She can’t play, but she’s really stepped into that captain role and been a leader,” Quinn Ahrenholz said.