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Kensico opened the Section 4 Little League Softball Majors Championship the same way it began the District 20 tournament, with a loss in its first game. Kensico bounced back and won three consecutive games, including a thrilling 2-1 victory over Poughkeepsie, and reached the championship game. Kensico faced District 18 champ New City for the second time in the tournament and the Rockland County team prevailed to win the title.
Despite the final outcome, it was a memorable summer season and last four years for Kensico. This group won consecutive 9-10-year-old titles and followed it up with back-to-back majors championships. Kensico finished the summer with an 8-3 record, two losses coming to New City.
The team is comprised of Kaylie Dymek, Bella Riguzzi, Jenna Saldim Alyssa Dolan, Sophie Rizzuto, Alyssa Giordano, Emily Bisesto, Lauren Manuele, Jenna Balint, Maggie Croke, Courtnie Daly and Erin Scalley.
Following its first loss to New City, Kensico regrouped and was reassured of something by manager Tony Rizzuto.
He told us that he had a feeling we would be playing them again, said Saldi, 13, and an eighth-grader-to-be at Valhalla Middle School. After that loss, it gave us even more of a hunger to win because this was our last year playing all-stars so we really wanted it. We came all the way back from the losers bracket to win districts so we felt we could do it again.
Kensico beat Middletown (13-3), Poughkeepsie (2-1) and Brewster (11-8) for another meeting with New City.
New City was a good team and a very tough team, Saldi said. Even though the all-star experience is over, Saldi and her teammates accomplished something not many teams can say. It feels really good to have won four years straight, Saldi said. It is something we will never forget because it stands out.
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