Softball Game Preview: Saugerties Sawyers vs. Marlboro Central Dukes

The Saugerties Sawyers will head out to challenge the Marlboro Central Dukes at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (Saugerties 2.5, Marlboro Central 1.4) so any runs scored will be well earned.

Saugerties took a loss when they played away from home on Thursday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They skirted past Rondout Valley 4-3. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Sawyers have posted since May 22, 2024.

Alaina Conrad spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three runs (all of which were unearned) on five hits.

At the plate, Saugerties' victory was truly a team effort as six different players contributed at least one hit. One of them was Elizabeth Sullivan, who went 2-for-4 with one double and one RBI. Morgan Pritchard also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.

Meanwhile, Marlboro Central strolled into their game on Wednesday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They were the clear victors by an 11-3 margin over Spackenkill. The result was nothing new for the Dukes, who have now won seven matchups by six runs or more so far this season.

Saugerties pushed their record up to 7-3 with the win, which was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season. As for Marlboro Central, their victory bumped their record up to 12-0.

Saugerties couldn't quite finish off Marlboro Central in their previous matchup back in May of 2024 and fell 4-2. Can the Sawyers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.