Broadalbin-Perth graduate Katie Finch is a dominating pitcher who keeps rewriting several different record books every time she takes the mound.
The SUNY-Cortland senior not only owns nearly every hurling mark in school history, but she also is the No. 1 pitcher in the long history of the State University of New York Athletic Conference.
Finch was selected the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III player of the week after another typical performance for the week ending April 4.
She posted a 4-0 record in four appearances last week, three as a starter. She allowed only eight hits, two walks and one unearned run and struck out 30 batters in 21 innings of work.
She opened the week with seven strikeouts, no walks and four hits allowed over six innings in a 6-0 win over visiting Alfred. The following day, she gave up only two hits and one walk and fanned seven batters in an 11-0 win at SUNY-Oneonta that was called after five innings due to the eight-run rule.
A day later, Finch earned wins in both games of a double-header at SUNY-New Paltz. She started the first game and tossed a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and no walks in a 1-0 victory, then entered in relief in the nightcap and gave up only one hit and an unearned run over three innings as Cortland rallied for a 7-5 victory.
During the New Paltz twin bill, Finch became the SUNYAC career leader in both victories and strikeouts.
Finch continued her brilliant pitching earlier this week. In a double-header against Ithaca, she threw a two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts in the opening game, a 1-0 win, then pitched the final three innings, struck out three and did not allow a run for her first save of the season in a 6-2 victory in the nightcap.
For the season, she is now 10-2 with a 0.97 earned run average, one save, 104 strikeouts and only nine walks in 721⁄3 innings. This gives her 77 career wins and 859 career strikeouts.
SUNY-Cortland was scheduled to play a pair of games this weekend, including a game Friday against Geneseo and another today vs. Brockport.
Entering the weekend, SUNY-Cortland was 17-5 overall and ranked 11th in NCAA Division III. The Red Dragons reached the NCAA Divisions III World Series in each of the last two seasons (44-9 last year, 39-13 in 2008). Finch was a second team All-American last year (26-7, 0.98 ERA, five saves, school-record 321 strikeouts in 2201⁄3 with two no-hitters) and a third-team All-American as a sophomore (22-9, 1.26 ERA, two saves, 254 strikeouts in 2111⁄3 innings).
AROUND CAMPUS
— University at Albany’s men’s lacrosse team travels to perennial national power Johns Hopkins today in Baltimore. The Great Danes are 2-7, while the Blue Jays, ranked 15th in the USILA poll and No. 17 by Nike/Inside Lacrosse, are 4-5. Albany is coming off a 15-8 loss to defending national champion Syracuse. Johns Hopkins, winner of nine national championships, is paced by Steven Boyle, an honorable mention All-American who is ranked 20th in the country in scoring with 22 goals and 13 assists. Albany also hosts Vermont on John Fallon Field Sunday at 3 p.m. It will be the first time the Great Danes will play on consecutive days since April 29-30, 2000.
— Sophomore shortstop Barb Shea (Shenendehowa) went 4-for-8 with three RBI and three runs scored to lift the Le Moyne softball team to a double-header sweep of Pace, 8-5 and 7-3.
— Saint Michael’s sophomore Kevin Hunt (Johnstown) registered three assists in the Purple Knights’ 15-7 Northeast-10 men’s lacrosse win over Franklin Pierce.
— SUNY-Cobleskill junior Daquan Coleman of Schenectady won the triple jump and was third in the 400 hurdles at the Roadrunner Invitational.
— Union’s softball team hosted K’s for Kids to benefit the Schenectady Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday. Funds were raised for the Schenectady B&G Club by the Dutchwomen prior to and during the event.
HONOR ROLL
UALBANY
Freshman Alex Leuchanka (Shenendehowa) was named the America East Conference men’s track performer of the week after winning the 10,000-meter run in 30:44.22 at the Duke Invitational.
Senior Laura Cummings was named the America East Conference women’s track performer of the week after winning the 3,000 steeplechase in 10:38.43.
Christine Grueniger was named the America East Conference player of the week after tying her career high with five goals in a 24-3 win over Binghamton. She also added two goals and three assists in an 18-5 win at Vermont. She became the 12th player in school history to reach 100 points for her career.
SUNY-COBLESKILL
Freshman Steven Carey was named the NEAC West Division tennis player of the week after winning his singles matches in straight sets and also winning his doubles matches against Sage and Castleton State, respectively.
Shane Francis was named the NEAC men’s lacrosse player of the week after the freshman scored 12 goals in two games.
RPI
Freshman goalie James Manchester (Niskayuna) was named the Liberty League defensive player of the week in men’s lacrosse after stopping 23 shots in a pair of wins over Skidmore and Hamilton, respectively.
Five track and field athletes were honored by the Liberty League. Senior Kyle Barden won the 400 hurdles and was a member of the 4×400 relay team at the Engineers Cup. Senior Justin Metzger (Shenendehowa) won the pole vault in a school-record 4.80 meters. Freshman Patrick Cavanaugh won the 3,000 steeplechase. Freshman Lindsey Rappleyea won the long jump (5.30 meters) and triple jump (11.03 meters) and freshman Kirsten Orrell won the shot put (11.88 meters) and was second in both the discus (35.06 meters) and javelin (27.84 meters).
Junior Jessica Sitzer was the Liberty League women’s tennis player of the week after winning both of her singles matches and her two doubles matches in matches with SUNY-Cobleskill and Mount Holyoke.
Freshman midfielder Alyssa Peterson was named the Liberty League rookie of the week in women’s lacrosse after scoring five goals and adding two assists in two games.
UNION
Sophomore shortstop Lauren Hoffman was named the Liberty League co-performer of the week in softball after hitting .545 and driving in four runs in four games, three of them wins.
Tiffany Ippoliti was named the Liberty League co-pitcher of the week after throwing a perfect game against Mount Saint Mary. It was the first Union no-hitter since March 31, 2006.
The Union women’s crew team won a boat of the week honor in a dual meet with Hamilton. The combination of the third varsity and novice eight finished first with a time of 8:11.05. Members of the honored boat included Katie O’Brien, Jackie Aruch, Leah Robinson, Lauren Brown, Mikaela Coburn, Lauren Wainman, Elizabeth Pion, Ariel Siniapkin and Sarah Budick.
Categories: College Sports
