It’s been a strong season for area softball teams as both the Marlboro Dukes and Highland Huskies have won their respective Section 9 championships.

The Dukes won the Class A sectional championship on their way to winning the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A championship, and the Highland Huskies won the Section 9 Class B championship, before losing in the NYSPHSAA subregional to Section 1 champion Albertus Magnus.

Marlboro shortstop Kalista Birkenstock was named Class A Player of the Year by Section 9 coaches and became the first Duke in recent memory to become a member of the 100-hit, 100-stolen bases, and 100-runs club.

Birkenstock also was named a Class A all-star, along with fellow senior pitcher Leah Gunsett. Junior catcher Emma Jackson also was named a fourth-team all-star.

They also make up three of the first four regular batters in the Dukes’ lineup. Birkenstock leads off, Jackson usually hits third and Gunsett hits behind her in the cleanup spot.

Highland pitcher Alexa Pavese and her battery mate, catcher Delainey Reid were named Class B all-stars. Sophomore third baseman Sierra Spinelli also was named to the all-star team.

First-year Marlboro coach Andrea Schoonmaker was named Class A Coach of the Year after leading the Dukes to their fourth straight sectional title. Highland coach Kathelene Canosa was named Class B Coach of the Year after the Huskies won their first Section 9 championship since 2014.