Pearl River Softball Turns Focus on Self, Not Opposition

The cliche goes that ignorance is bliss.

Sometimes it is just easier.

Pearl River softball coach Mike Carlacci and his players show very little concern about a lack of knowledge of their opponents in the state playoffs. That includes the Section 4 champion Elmira Free Academy Blue Devils (14-7), the team the Pirates (24-1) will play in the state Class A quarterfinals 5:30 p.m. today at Nanuet.

"Just because we haven't seen them, it's a little easier," said senior pitcher Katie O'Flynn. "You don't have to worry about (what they do). You are just going to play the game you love and have fun."

"At this point in the season, we have played 25 games now," Carlacci said. "We are what we are. If we play our game, we’ll be fine. We’re not as worried about the other team at this point., we knew a little bit, but not much."

Elmira got a bye in the first round of the state tournament after defeating Maine-Endwell, 4-2, in the Section 4 Championship Game. Pitcher Maggie Harding threw a shutout the game before that, a 6-0 victory over Oswego Free Academy.

"I saw them last year," Carlacci said. "The Binghamton teams always have very good pitching. I knokw they scored some runs in their section (title) game, so I assume they have a pretty good offense, too. If we play our game, we should be right there in the game."

The winner of today's game advances to the semifinals 9 a.m. Saturday June 11 at the Adirondack Sports Complex. The championship is 2 p.m. that day on the same field.

Beat the Heat

There is some chance the first game today at Nanuet, John Jay-EF vs. Union Endicott in Class AA, could be suspended if the heat index is 96 degrees or higher at the game's 3:30 p.m. start time. That could delay the start of Pearl River's game at 5:30 p.m, though for now it is expected to start on time.