As the softball season entered May, beyond the halfway point, Newburgh and Pine Bush needed to move on making up some ground to reach the postseason.
Both teams met Wednesday, May 1, in Newburgh, and when it was finished, Newburgh gained a little bit, and Pine Bush’s fight got a little tougher as the Goldbacks prevailed 5-4.

Sam Miller helped the Goldbacks improve to 3-8 when she gave up seven hits and fanned a pair. Miller also had a pair of hits and drove in three runs. Dafne Garcia had three hits, and Angie Clarino had a pair of hits for Newburgh.
To reach the postseason, Newburgh has to be .500 in its division against Monroe-Woodbury, Kingston and Middletown, teams that already defeated Newburgh this season.

Or the Goldbacks have to be .500 against Class AA teams, such as Pine Bush. Last week’s victory helped a little, but Chris Leggett, Newburgh’s coach, his team has to keep winning for a playoff berth and still must play Monroe-Woodbury, Kingston and Middletown again.

“The division is going to be tough,” said Leggett.

Bridget Kiernan had three hits as Pine Bush dropped to 2-10. Pine Bush dropped to Division II in Class AA with Washingtonville and Valley Central from the Division I with Newburgh, Kingston, Middletown and Monroe-Woodbury.

Pine Bush’s playoff quest may be a little less difficult than that of Newburgh, but little ground can be gained unless the team wins more games.

“It makes it a little easier because you only have to win three division games. In the past, we had to win four to get in,” said Mike Mancuso, Newburgh’s coach. “Every team in AA is tough.”