Varsity Roundup: Beacon

BASEBALL — Beacon wrapped up its regular season on May 16 with a 16-3 home win over Port Jervis, clinching the division title. Ryan Landisi was 3-for-4 with three doubles and two RBIs. Kayden Durkin blew open the game with a pinch-hit grand slam in the fourth inning. 

On Monday (May 19), the Bulldogs won at Warwick Valley, 6-3; Landisi threw a complete game, including three strikeouts, and Derrick Heaton and Zach Schetter each had two RBIs. The next day, Beacon edged Franklin Roosevelt at Hyde Park, 10-8. Elijah Epps had a double and three RBIs, while Alex Young had two hits and an RBI. 

Beacon (15-4) finished the season with nine consecutive wins. Seeded No. 1 in the Section IX, Class A tournament, the Bulldogs received a bye in the first round and at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (May 28) will host the winner of a May 26 game between No. 4 Saugerties (10-8) and No. 5 Red Hook (8-10). The winner of the May 28 game will advance to the sectional final.

SOFTBALL — After a nine-game losing skid, Beacon won four straight, beginning with a 12-6 victory at home on May 15 over Liberty. Kat Ruffy went 3-for-4, falling short by a triple of hitting the cycle, and Sally Betterbid was 3-for-4 with a double. The following day, Beacon won at Burke Catholic, 12-4. Emma Soltish went 2-for-3 with a triple and Ruffy had a home run and five RBIs. Ruffy also pitched a complete game, with nine strikeouts. 

On Monday (May 19), the Bulldogs hosted Chester, winning 7-6 when Betterbid hit a walk-off triple. Ruffy recorded her 100th career hit. On Tuesday, Beacon won at Liberty, 13-0, with Ruffy throwing the shutout while giving up just one hit and recording seven strikeouts. Ashlynn Way went 3-for-4 with an RBI. 

Beacon (6-11), seeded No. 7 in the Section IX, Class A tournament, begins play on Monday (May 26) at No. 2 Saugerties (10-8).

BOYS’ TENNIS — Following an 11-4 season, Beacon began postseason play. In doubles, Frank Zezza and Charlie Klein won, 6-1, 6-2, over opponents from Monroe-Woodbury on Tuesday (May 20), moving to the semifinals, and Beckett Anderson advanced with a 6-2, 6-3 win in the opening round of 16. 

GIRLS’ GOLF — Beacon began sectional competition after finishing the regular season with a 13-7 record. Heidi Meang finished ninth of 47 golfers, qualifying for the second round on Tuesday (May 27) at Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland. The nine players with the lowest scores will advance to the state championships on June 8.

TRACK AND FIELD — Beacon competed in the OCIAA Championships in Warwick on May 16 and 17. Caellum Tripaldi won the 1,500 meters (4:16.66) and Jayden Mihalchik was second in the discus (139-1) and javelin (134-10). Sophomore Brevin Timm placed fifth in his first pentathlon (2794) and Noah Spiak was third in the 400-meter hurdles (56.48). For the girls, Bethany Rudolph placed second in the javelin (66-2) and Khloe Franklin was third in the 800 meters (2:37.91). 

On Monday (May 19), the Bulldogs sent their field competitors to the OCIAA Throwers Pentathlon in Middletown, where Mihalchik won the hammer throw (182-11.75) and javelin (132-1.5). For the girls, Rudolph was second in the javelin (78-6.25). Beacon wrapped up the week on Wednesday (May 21) at the Gary V Classic in Washingtonville. Jahcier Ballard won the high jump (5-9) and Stella Reinke was 10th in the 1,500 meters (5:22.08). Next up: the Section IX, Class B championships on May 29 in Accord.