Seylah Ferguson finished her second full season on Newburgh’s softball team last week, and she did so as really the only catcher on the team.

“If she was injured, we’d probably have to bring up our JV catcher,” said Chris Leggett, Newburgh’s coach. “She is it, she is primarily it.”

Ferguson came up as a freshman late in the season in 2017, and she spent her first full season as a sophomore as a utility player last year at second base, centerfield, and as the back-up catcher

“She got a fair amount of playing time last year at multiple positions,” said Leggett.

She prepared for her first full season catching by working with Ricky Pacione, a former NFA player who now coaches for the Cleveland Indians as the catcher who helps warm up the team’s pitching staff.

“I love it. It’s my favorite position on field,” she said. “I feel like I am in control, and I can help the team out in any possible way.”

Ferguson started playing T-ball in New Windsor, pitched and played catcher during her days of youth ball. When she can came to the Goldbacks she used her versatility in the field and has helped the offense with her bat.

She’s thrown out nearly 10 runners this season, including a Middletown player last week during a 4-1 loss to the Middies. And she has shown enough prowess with her bat to hit in the three-spot.

“She improved tremendously,” said Leggett. “She is a contact, line-drive hitter. She goes deep into the counts, rarely strikes out.”

Newburgh’s season ended last week without a playoff berth as the Goldbacks tried to keep pace with league rivals Kingston, Middletown and Monroe-Woodbury. But there was not a wisp of regret or negativity from Ferguson last week as the season was coming to an end.

“I just love the game. You get to play with your friends,” she said. “You’re on the field being competitive.”