Softball: Monroe-Woodbury triumphs with a rebuilt team, winning a third straight title

MIDDLETOWN - It was reminiscent of that famous scene in "The Lion King," Gizmo being hoisted and held up proudly, to the cheers of those looking on.

Just, in this instance, it was a puppy instead of a cub and the setting was a softball field.

But in keeping with that theme and its relation to Monroe-Woodbury, Mufasa's speech to Simba comes to mind. The one about a ruler's time rising and falling like the sun, and the old guard giving way to new leaders. The circle of life, after all.

The Crusaders graduated nine standouts after completing an undefeated season last spring, and there were questions about how a rebuilt roster would fair with a young coach. Perhaps the sun had set on this dynasty.

Instead, Monroe-Woodbury proved that despite all the changes and the cyclical nature of scholastic sports, this section remains its kingdom.

Arianna Exarchakis went 3 for 3 and Caitlin Sheerin drove in four runs on Saturday, leading the top-seeded Crusaders in a 6-4 win over No. 2 Warwick, capturing a third straight Section 9 Class AA championship.

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"It means everything to us," said Olivia Shippee, a senior who has been part of the three title runs. "It goes to show the character of this team. It's hard to follow an undefeated state championship, but this group came together right when we needed to, and everybody stepped up."

The Crusaders (19-4) face Section 4's Corning-Painted Post in a subregional Tuesday, 1 p.m. at Union-Endicott High School.

Monroe-Woodbury tore through its competition the previous two seasons, winning 50 consecutive games and bringing to reality a dream scenario last year. So, when this team lost three of its first four games, some eyebrows raised.

"It was a matter of figuring out what worked and adjusting the lineup," first-year coach Taylor Sullivan said of her team silencing doubts during its current 16-game win streak. "We approached it as if this was a normal season. I told them, 'Don't worry about the past, just the game we're in and the next pitch.' Yes, we graduated a lot of great players, but I have faith in the athletes here."

As evidenced by her trusting Exarchakis to lift her dog overhead. Sullivan speaks often about Gizmo and the team was meeting him for the first time, Exarchakis explained, "so we had to celebrate with him."

Shippee credited Sullivan with helping keep them calm and maintain confidence. She served as an assistant last season to former coach Penny Roberts and, Shippee said, "they have a lot of the same philosophies."

It helped, of course, that Exarchakis returned to softball after spending last spring on the track and field team.

"I really enjoyed track," the senior said, "but I believed in this team and Coach Sullivan and wanted to come back and be part of something special."

The Crusaders got on the board with four in the second inning, including Sheerin's three-run triple. Exarchakis' RBI single put them up 5-0 in the third.

"It's perfect," Shippee said of the importance of scoring early. "It gives you a little bit of a cushion and it takes some of the edge off. Getting a big lead at the start boosted our energy."

Warwick rallied for three runs in the top of the fourth, but Sheerin answered with RBI single in the next frame. The third baseman went 2 for 3, twice delivering in the clutch and "came up huge for us," Shippee said.

Eryn Coyle drove in a run and Valerie Pedersen and Madalana Bendix each went 1 for 3. Exarchakis started and pitched four innings, and Pederson allowed three hits and an unearned run and struck out three in three innings of relief.

Eva Garofalo was 3 for 4 with a double for Warwick (14-4). Katie Fiore went 2 for 3 with a run, Amanda Larsen was 2 for 3, and Alyssa Sarlo walked and scored.

Warwick won the title in 2019, before Monroe-Woodbury began its run, but the Wildcats have fallen to their rival in the last two section finals.

"Pressure is a privilege," said Shippee, a Boston College commit also has who has competed in the soccer and basketball state tournaments. "I've told my teammates that we're fortunate to be in this position, competing in big games and having a chance to do great things. We have to relax and appreciate these moments. Have fun."

Hakuna matata!

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Softball: Monroe-Woodbury beat Warwick win a third straight title