Category: Athletic News
Liberty pole vaulter to compete in states
Good luck to Brooke Bull tomorrow as she competes in the state outdoor track and field championship in the pole vault. The event starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Webster Schroeder High School in Webster.
Although she was the only Redhawk who qualified for the state meet, our student athletes had a great showing in the qualifiers last week:
- Starriah Harris placed sixth in the 100m hurdles.
- Sydania Foster placed fourth in the 100m and sixth in the 400m.
- Victoria Henry placed fifth in long jump.
- Audrey Krum placed fourth in pentathlon.
- The girls 4x100m relay team (Victoria, Starriah, Brooke, Sydania) placed third
- The girls 4x400m relay team (Quinn, Starriah, Brooke, Sydania) placed fourth
- Dylan Romero placed fourth in the 400m.
- The boys 4x400m relay team (Tyleal, Joe, Colten, Dylan) placed fourth and set a new school record.
Congratulations on a great season, Redhawks!
Update: Brooke ended up placing 11th at the state meet.
Five Redhawks officially commit to college athletics
Next year, five standout student-athletes from Liberty will be taking their talents to the colleges of their choice to continue their athletic pursuits.
On Monday, June 8, Shawn Bickham, Isabella Wagner, Angie Wheeler, Justin Simons and Brooke Bull signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level during a ceremony held in the Liberty High School auditorium.
There are certain days in a high school career that feel like a finish line, but today is unique. Today is a starting line,” Athletic Director Thomas Zehner said “We are here to celebrate a select group of young men and women who have earned the right to extend their athletic journeys into the college arena.”
Each athlete was introduced with a speech from their coach.
Shawn Bickham
Shawn, who will attend Utica University and major in nursing, will compete on the indoor and outdoor track and field teams as well as wrestle for the Pioneers. He was introduced by his track and field coach Roothland Medina.
Shawn competed in multiple events—hurdles, triple jump, javelin, hammer, discus and shot put—this year. He ranked in the top 10 in the javelin in Section IX and earned fifth place at OCCIA. Shawn plans to continue to hone his skills at the Kutztown jumps camp for pole vault and triple jump this summer..
“His leadership and willingness to step up to the challenge is what makes Shawn stand out above everyone else,” Mr. Medina said. ”This is the kind of work ethic that will make Shawn successful as he continues his journey in the track world at college.”
Isabella Wagner
Isabella, who will attend Eastern University and major in health sciences, will wrestle for the Eagles. She was introduced by Mr. Zehner, who read a speech by wrestling coach Brian Vaughn who was unable to attend.
Isabella wrestled for Liberty for two years, and finished 31-26, with 20 of those wins coming in this season. Her record also puts her at second all time for Liberty girls wrestling and she had the third best record between the boys and girls teams this season).
“She’s always been one of the hardest working in the room and I’m sure she’ll keep that up when she gets to Eastern,” Mr. Vaughn wrote in his speech.
Angie Wheeler
Angie, who will attend SUNY Delhi and major in criminal justice, will play softball for the Broncos. She was introduced by varsity softball coach Dave Philips.
Over her four and a half years on the varsity softball team, she started 56 games as a pitcher, racking up more than 350 strikeouts and earning the pitching decision in every single Redhawk victory over the last four seasons. She also started 67 times in the field, and had more than 50 hits and 80 runs scored or driven in. Angie was a mult-year team MVP, a three-time Sullivan Democrat selection, and earned a Times-Herald Record Class A All-Star selection two years ago. She has also played in dozens of tournaments with the NEPA Phantoms Travel Ball Organization.
“Angie is the definition of a fierce competitor and a tireless worker,” Mr. Philips said. “What truly sets her apart as an athlete is her constant drive to elevate her game—she doesn’t just welcome constructive criticism, she actively seeks out advice and pushes herself to be better every single day.”
Justin Simon
Justin, who will attend Western Connecticut State University and major in elementary education, will play baseball for the wolves. He was introduced by varsity baseball coach Andrew Philips
Justin played for the varsity team for three years, but had his best year this past year. He batted .536 with a .836 slugging percentage. He set the single season doubles record and also added a home run on the year. His clutch bat helped the team score runs with 14 RBIs on the year.
“His work ethic and passion for the game is evident in his preparation,” Mr. Philips said. “With his hard work he has had one of the best seasons you could have this year.”
Brooke Bull
Brooke, who will attend the University of Lynchburg and major in criminology, will compete on the track and field team for the Hornets. She was introduced by track and field coach Rich Feeney.
She has been a member of the indoor and outdoor track and field teams at Liberty for the past three years.
She set school records in the pole vault for indoor and outdoor track, was a member of the 4×200 relay team that set a school record this past indoor season, and helped lead Liberty to an indoor Division 3 championship as well. She represented Liberty at the Indoor State Championships in both the pole vault, the 4×200 relay and qualified for Nationals this year. During the outdoor season, Brooke qualified for the state championships and earned invitations to the Penn Relays and the Loucks Games, two prestigious track and field meets in the Northeast. She has also won, placed and medaled at countless invitationals throughout her career here at Liberty, including being a division and section champion.
“Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Brooke has been a tremendous leader and role model for her teammates,” Mr. Feeney said. “Her positive attitude, work ethic, and leadership have left a lasting impact on our program and will be greatly missed.”
Mr. Zehner offered well wishes to all of the athletes.
“We cannot wait to watch you compete, watch you grow, and watch you succeed. You will always have a home here, and we will always be your biggest fans,” he said. “Congratulations to our seniors. Go make Liberty proud!”
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of June 8-14, 2026
This is the final week of the 2025-26 athletics season. We will close with the outdoor track and field state championships this weekend.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday-Friday, June 8-12
No events scheduled..
Saturday, June 13
10 a.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State championships vs. Multiple Schools at Webster Schroeder High School in Webster. (Brooke Bull is competing in Pole Vault)
Result: Brooke Bull finished 11th
Sunday, June 14
No events scheduled.
Liberty athletics to wrap up year with signings, awards
The Liberty Athletics Department has plenty to celebrate in the coming weeks.
Five seniors will sign their letters of intent to compete at the college level. The ceremonies will take place at 4 p.m. June 8 in the High School Auditorium. Signing will be:
- Shawn Bickham, who will attend Utica University and will wrestle and complete on the track and field team
- Brooke Bull, who will attend the University of Lynchburg and will compete in the track and field team.
- Justin Simon, who will attend Western Connecticut State University and play baseball
- Isabella Wagner, who will attend Eastern University and will wrestle
- Angie Wheeler, who will attend SUNY Delhi and play softball
Later that week will be the “Block L Athletic Awards,” the annual varsity sports recognition event. It will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, in the high school auditorium. Family and friends are welcome to attend the ceremony.
“Being a varsity athlete is more than just playing a sport—it is a commitment to excellence in all aspects of student life that deserves to be recognized,” Athletic Director Thomas Zehner said. “We look forward to seeing you there to acknowledge our student-athletes.”
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of June 1-7, 2026
We are in the homestretch of the 2025-26 athletics season. This week, we only have Track and Field state qualifiers.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday-Tuesday, June 1-2
No events scheduled.
Wednesday, June 3
2:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State Qualifiers vs. Multiple Schools at Cornwall High School
Thursday, June 4
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field State Qualifiers vs. Multiple Schools at Goshen High School
Results from qualifiers: Brooke Bull qualified for states in pole vault. Starriah Harris placed 6th in 100 meter hurdles. Sydania Foster placed 4th in 100m and 6th in 400m. Victoria Henry placed 5th in long jump. Audrey Krum placed 4th in pentathlon. Girls 4×100 placed 3rd. Girls 4×400 placed 4th. Dylan Romero 4th in 400m. Boys 4×400 placed 4th and set a new school record.
Friday-Sunday, June 5-7
No events scheduled
Redhawks earn second place in division, clinch sectional berth
In a dramatic turn of events, the Liberty Varsity Softball team officially clinched second place in the OCIAA Division 3 Wednesday afternoon. The division victory was awarded to the Redhawks via forfeit by the Beacon Bulldogs, who were forced to withdraw due to a depleted roster after losing their starting pitcher to an injury. While it wasn’t the traditional battle on the diamond, the win solidifies a milestone achievement for the Liberty program—one that has catapulted them into the postseason.
With the victory officially in the books, the Redhawks have secured their best finish since New York State implemented its new divisional format during the 2023-2024 school year. More importantly, this second-place Class A Division 3 finish has earned Liberty the No. 6 seed in the upcoming Sectional tournament. This marks the program’s first trip to the Sectionals since 2019, a monumental climax to a season defined by perseverance against all imaginable odds. They will play at Port Jervis at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26.
To truly appreciate the magnitude of this achievement, one has to look back to the first week of tryouts, when low turnout left the athletic department uncertain if Liberty could even field a Varsity squad this spring. When the program stood on the brink of cancellation, a group of resilient student-athletes stepped up to save the season. Despite having little to no prior softball experience, Danielia Ponce Flores, Analeah Ocasio, Katterin Reyes Guardado, Aimee Sherwood, and Tianna Wilson dove headfirst into the sport. More than half of the entire roster took the field this year completely new to the game, learning on the fly with enthusiasm. As their skills grew, these newcomers became the essential pieces of the team’s success within the division.
Behind this transformation was a dedicated core of returning players and varsity mainstays who refused to let their season slide away. Wanting a season so desperately, these veterans stepped into vital leadership roles to guide, mentor, and inspire their new teammates. This milestone is, above all, an accomplishment earned by their heart and leadership.
These newcomers helped complete a team anchored by a trio of standout seniors: star starting pitcher Angie Wheeler, Brooke Porter at third base, and Arianna Wilson, who selflessly took on the grueling role of catcher for her first year behind the plate. Juniors Maddy Stewart in center field, Amy Szuba at first base, and utility threat Giuliana Wagner at shortstop and on the rubber filled out the core of returning starters. Not to be outdone, sophomores Lilli Black and Charlotte Horton De Morla stepped up to the varsity level without any prior JV experience, locking down starting roles in the outfield and at second base, respectively. Together, this collective unit held the squad together, making this milestone all the more rewarding.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 25-31, 2026
Spring sports is starting to wind down with only softball and track in action this week.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 25
No events scheduled.
Tuesday, May 26
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Elementary School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball prelims vs. Port Jervis:
Results: Liberty 0, Port Jervis 28
The historic, barrier-breaking season for the Liberty Varsity Softball team came to a close yesterday afternoon, as the No. 6 Redhawks ran into an absolute powerhouse in the quarterfinals of the Sectional tournament, falling 28-0 to the No. 3 Port Jervis Raiders.
The Redhawks knew they faced a monumental task heading into the postseason matchup. Port Jervis, a perennial OCIAA jugger-naut, had already defeated Liberty by a combined score of 43-0 in two games during the regular season. Yet, despite the lopsided scoreboard, the Redhawks left the diamond with their heads held high, representing themselves and their school with immense pride, grit, and sportsmanship.
For a brief moment at the start of the game, the Redhawks went toe-to-toe with the Raiders . Liberty put together a brilliantly clean first inning, retiring three of the first four Raiders batters they faced. However, the wheels came off in the bottom of the second. Port Jervis exploded for 16 runs in the frame, capitalizing on five hits—all singles—along with seven walks, four hit batters, and two costly Liberty errors. From there, the Raiders never looked back.
Port Jervis was led by senior ace Madison Dobbs, who was clicking on all cylinders in the circle. The perennial All-Star was flawless, retiring all 15 batters she faced to throw a perfect game. Dobbs racked up nine strikeouts while throwing a whopping 77% of her pitches for strikes. She also led the Raiders at the plate with three hits, including a double. Teammates Savannah Mioglionico and Alabama Stankewicz chipped in two hits apiece, while Charlotte Rivera tripled and singled as part of a 15-hit Port Jervis onslaught. With the victory, Port Jervis advances to face Marlboro in the Class A semifinals.
Despite the heavy pressure, several Liberty players shined in the field. Junior center fielder Maddy Stewart put her elite athleticism on full display, tracking down and ranging deep for three spectacular flyouts. Meanwhile, sophomore Charlotte Horton De Morla proved her versatility, making clutch putouts in her first-ever varsity start at shortstop.
While the final score was tough, it does nothing to diminish an unforgettable season of overachievement for Liberty. Just over 11 weeks ago, low turnout left the athletic department completely uncertain if a varsity squad could even be formed. It was then that a resilient group of student-athletes, more than half of whom had little to no prior softball experience, stepped up just to save the program.
What followed was a season of unprecedented milestones. This inexperienced squad shocked the league by winning at James I. O’Neill on April 10th for the first time in years, followed by capturing the program’s first-ever Class A Divisional win on April 15th. Even when disaster struck on May 1st with a season-ending injury to standout ace pitcher and captain Angie Wheeler—forcing a depleted roster to play completely out of position—the Redhawks refused to quit.
Adopting the rallying cry of “us against the world,” this team fought its way to the program’s first Sectional tournament appearance since 2019. The 2026 Redhawks are a squad to be remembered. They left it all on the field, had fun, and proved that heart and dedication can write history.
4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 5, Sullivan West 0
Tuesday’s action provided a preview of the finale’s dominance, as the Redhawks hosted Sullivan West and came away with a commanding 5-0 victory.
Liberty wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after just two innings of play. From there, the Redhawks let their stellar pitching and defense suffocate any hopes of a Bulldog comeback. Harper Matuszak was a force in the circle as well, scattering just three hits over seven frames, striking out nine, and walking only one in a complete-game shutout.
The offense showcased a perfectly balanced attack, with seven different Liberty batters registering at least one hit. Montgomery Allen acted as the catalyst at the top of the order once again, racking up a double, a single, and two runs scored. Corinne Lake provided the definitive thud in the lineup, driving in three runs on the back of a hit and two walks. Mya Davis, Alex Kelly, and Myla Rielly all crossed the plate for Liberty.
Wednesday, May 27
4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Fallsburg at Liberty Elementary School
Result: Liberty 3, Fallsburg 0
Harper Matuszak put an absolute exclamation point on the season today, pitching a masterpiece of a no-hitter in a 3-0 home victory over Fallsburg. The brilliant performance earned Matuszak her ninth win of the season. She was virtually unhittable, racking up a season-high 14 strikeouts while conceding just three walks.
The contest was a bona fide pitcher’s duel for the majority of the afternoon. Liberty held a razor-thin 1-0 advantage through the first 5 ½ innings, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. However, the Redhawks finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth, manufacturing two crucial insurance runs to extend the lead to 3-0. Armed with a cushion, Matuszak did the rest, quickly dismantling the Fallsburg lineup in the seventh to complete her historic feat.
While the defense stood tall behind her, the day belonged to the eighth-grade hurler. Offensively, Liberty was sparked once again by lead-off hitter Montgomery Allen, who set the table with two hits and two runs scored. Olivia Matuszak added a multi-hit performance of her own, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Harper Matuszak helped her own cause with a hit and an RBI, while Corinne Lake delivered a clutch RBI and Mya Davis crossed the plate to round out the scoring.
A Bright Future for Liberty Softball
This young JV team has given Liberty plenty to smile about this spring. Finishing with a great 9-3 record, these players showed how much they can grow and how well they play under pressure. With strong pitching, batters who can hit all through the lineup, and a defense that works together, they have proven they have what it takes. The future looks incredibly bright for the Liberty softball program.
Thursday, May 28
No events scheduled.
Friday, May 29
2 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Sectionals vs. Multiple Schools at Rondout Valley Central School
Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31
No events scheduled
Congratulations, senior spring athletes
Earlier this month, Liberty honored its senior spring athletes during a series of celebrations. We thank all of our seniors who worked hard and showed dedication to help our Redhawks soar.
The following were recognized:
- Baseball: Josh Decker, Joe DiBartolo, Tayler Schwartz and Justin Simon
- Softball: Brooke Porter, Aimee Sherwood, Angie Wheeler and Arianna Wilson
- Boys Track and Field: Shawn Bickham, Amir George, Michael Reyes, Ryan Romero Bello and Joe Sarney
- Girls Track and Field: Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Brooke Bull, Naima Canady Byam, Valeria Cruz, Elizabeth Cruz Cruz, Sydania Foster and Makayla Morales
- Boys and girls golf: Cristian Argenal, Jake Cross and Elizabeth Cruz Cruz
- Boys Tennis: Miguel Guzman, Gustavo Leon, Arwyn Lucero, John Palacios Medrano, Phillo Romero and Elmer Son Vicente
Congratulations, Redhawks, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Track and field teams gear up for Sectionals, State Qualifiers and States
The varsity boys and girls track teams have been working hard this season and have been quite busy as the regular season starts winding down. Here is a recap of some season highlights.
School records: Girls DMR team of Audrey Krum, Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Quinn Santiago & Adriana Ponce Agredano, Brooke Bull in pole vault, Mixed 4x200m relay team of Sydania Foster, Colten Allen, Brooke Bull & Joe Sarney, Mixed 4x100m relay team of Adriana Ponce Agredano, Dylan Romero, Audrey Krum and Joe Sarney.
Gander Invitational: Starriah Harris 1st place in 100m hurdles, Sydania Foster 3rd place in 400m hurdles, Brooke Bull 2nd place in pole vault. The girls team placed 7th overall
Tri Valley Invitational: Sydania Foster 3rd place in the 100m and 400m, Starriah Harris 2nd place in the 100m hurdles, Joe Sarney 1st place in the 200m, Dylan Romero 1st place in the 400m, Boys 4x100m relay team of Joe Sarney, Dylan Romero, Samuel Blandon & Colten Allen 3rd place, Boys 4x400m relay team of Michael Reyes, Dylan Romero, Joe Sarney & Alan Cruz 2nd place, Girls 4x400m relay team of Quinn Santiago, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull & Sydania Foster 1st place, Victoria Henry 1st place in long jump, Brooke Bull 1st place in pole vault. The boys finished 4th overall and the girls finished 5th overall.
Steinhoff Cup: Boys DMR team of Alan Cruz, Kevin Leon Gavilan, Ryan Romero Bello & Samuel Blandon 2nd place, Sydania Foster 3rd place in the 100m & 200m, Dylan Romero 1st place in the 400m, Joe Sarney 3rd place in the 200m, Boys 4x100m relay team of Aaden Woolard, Tyleal Aubain, Dylan Romero & Colten Allen 3rd place, Girls 4x100m relay team of Makayla Morales, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull & Sydania Foster 1st place, Girls 4x800m relay team of Casity DiBartolo, Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Audrey Krum & Adriana Ponce Agredano 2nd place, Boys 4x400m relay team of Colten Allen, Dylan Romero, Tyleal Aubain & Joe Sarney 1st place, Mixed 4x200m relay team of Sydania Foster, Colten Allen, Brooke Bull & Joe Sarney 1st place and a school record, Brooke Bull 1st place in pole vault. The boys team finished 5th overall and the girls team finished 4th overall.
Donna Deppa Invitational: Girls F/S SMR team of Quinn Santiago, Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris & Adriana Ponce Agredano – 1st place, Girls 4x800m relay team of Casity DiBartolo, Sheyla Anguisaca Llanos, Audrey Krum & Adriana Ponce Agredano – 1st place, Girls 4x400m relay team of Quinn Santiago, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull & Sydania Foster – 1st place, Girls 4x100m relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull & Sydania Foster – 1st place, Sydania Foster 1st place in 400m hurdles and 3rd place in the 100m (Girls Track Athlete of the meet), Brooke Bull 1st place in pole vault, Starriah Harris 2nd place in 100m hurdles, Adriana Ponce Agredano 2nd place in triple jump. Boys F/S SMR team of Colten Allen, Samuel Blandon, Mason Williams & Peyton Rivera 3rd place, Gianino Amendola 3rd place in the 3,200m, Alan Cruz 2nd place in the 3,000m steeplechase, Dylan Romero 2nd place in the 400m, Joe Sarney 2nd place in the 200m, Boys 4x800m relay team of Keven Cordero Lima, Alan Cruz, Michael Reyes & Ryan Romero Bello 2nd place, Boys 4x100m relay team of Tyleal Aubain, Colten Allen, Dylan Romero & Joe Sarney 1st place, Shawn Bickham 3rd place in javelin
OCIAA Championships: Shawn Bickham 5th place in javelin, Starriah Harris 5th place in 100m hurdles, Brooke Bull 3rd place in pole vault, Girls 4x100m relay team of Victoria Henry, Starriah Harris, Brooke Bull & Sydania Foster 2nd place. The girls team placed 11th overall.
The team is now preparing for Sectionals, State qualifiers and States.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of May 18-24, 2026
Spring sports is in action with baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, May 18
9 a.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis OCIAA tournament vs. Multiple Schools at Goshen Sports Complex
10 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf Section Pre-lims vs. Multiple Schools at West Point Golf Course
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track & Field vs. Multiple Schools at Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Middle School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Chester Academy at Maple Avenue School (Chester)
Result: Liberty 0, Chester 19
On a blistering afternoon where the thermometer topped 90° and the heat index pushed a suffocating 95°, the Liberty Varsity softball team ran into a familiar buzzsaw. Facing off against a perennially tough Chester squad on Monday, the Redhawks suffered a grueling 19-0 defeat, further cementing Chester’s decade-long mastery in this rivalry. Over the last ten years, playing twice a year, Liberty has managed to solve the Chester puzzle just once. The Hambletonians made sure there would be no second surprise.
From the opening pitch, the contest was never truly in doubt. Chester’s offense exploded in the bottom of the first inning, sending 14 batters to the plate. Capitalizing on six hits, three walks, and three defensive miscues by a visibly struggling Liberty defense, the Hambletonians plated 10 quick runs. With a double-digit lead before the second frame even began, Chester never looked back.
Chester’s relentless offense pounded out 11 hits on the day, including five extra-base hits. The definitive exclamation point came in the bottom of the second inning courtesy of Paige Niles. Niles crushed a towering shot over the center-field fence for a home run.
The play of the game, however, belonged to Liberty’s center fielder, Maddy Stewart. Showing absolute disregard for her own well-being, Stewart tracked the ball to the warning track and gave a 100% effort, tumbling completely over the outfield fence in a heart-stopping attempt to rob Niles of the homer. While the ball cleared the wall, Stewart’s gritty athleticism earned the respect of everyone in attendance.
While Chester’s bats stole the early headlines, their starting pitcher kept the Varsity bats completely at bay. Striking out 15 batters, the Lily Lazier surrendered just two hits all afternoon. Though she battled a bit of wildness, issuing seven walks, her defense played flawlessly behind her to work out of any potential jams and preserve the shutout.
Despite the lopsided scoreboard, several Redhawks showed immense resilience while giving their all in the extreme heat. The Liberty offense was led by starting catcher Arianna Wilson, who anchored the team behind the plate in full gear before finishing 1-for-2 at the dish with a single and a walk. Maddy Stewart paired her spectacular defensive effort with a single of her own, while Katterin Reyes Guardado showed great discipline by reaching base twice on walks.
With the regular season rapidly drawing to a close, the Redhawks have no time to dwell on the loss. Only two games remain on the schedule, and everything is on the line. Liberty’s upcoming clash against Beacon will serve as the defining moment of their season, as the result of that matchup will officially determine whether or not the Redhawks qualify for the sectional tournament.
4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Marlboro at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 20, Marlboro 7
The Liberty JV Softball squad put on an absolute clinic on their home field yesterday afternoon, dismantling visiting Marlboro 20-7 in a five-inning, mercy-ruled contest. It was a flawless, all-around performance for the Redhawks, fueled by a relentless offensive onslaught and a masterful performance in the pitcher’s circle.
Liberty wasted no time establishing dominance, putting up “crooked” numbers in each of the first three frames. Before Marlboro could even blink, the Redhawks’ disciplined and explosive approach at the plate had propelled them to a commanding 11-0 lead.
Marlboro finally found some signs of life in the top of the fourth inning, crossing the plate four times to cut into the massive deficit. However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were instantly crushed in the bottom half of the frame. The resilient Redhawks answered right back with a six-run explosion, stretching the lead to an insurmountable 17-4 and putting the game well out of reach.
The top of the Liberty lineup set a blistering pace all afternoon, acting as an unstoppable offensive avalanche. Montgomery Allen was the ultimate catalyst out of the leadoff spot, terrorizing Marlboro’s pitching by pounding out four hits—including a sharp double—and scoring five runs. Right behind her, Liberty’s number-two hitter Mya Davis kept the line moving perfectly, constantly setting the table and scoring four runs of her own.
The heart of the order did exactly what they were supposed to do by driving those runners home. Olivia Matuszak had a monster day at the dish, blasting a double and a single to rack up four RBIs while scoring once. Corinne Lake was equally lethal in the batter’s box, turning in a three-hit performance, scoring three times and driving in another three runs.
What made the victory truly special was the team’s collective patience and balance. Liberty batters refused to chase bad pitches, drawing 12 walks to go along with their 12 hits on the day. In an impressive display of total team chemistry, every single starter in the lineup scored at least one run in the balanced attack.
While the offense provided plenty of fireworks, Harper Matuszak was pure dominance in the circle. Matuszak completely baffled Marlboro’s hitters over her five full innings of work. She surrendered just four hits and did not allow a single earned run all afternoon, pairing her pinpoint control with excellent velocity to rack up an incredible 11 strikeouts.
With the blowout victory, the Redhawks improved their impressive season record to 6-2. They will look to carry this immense momentum on the road tomorrow as they travel to take on S.S. Seward.
Tuesday, May 19
TBD: Boys Varsity Tennis OCIAA tournament vs. Multiple Schools at Goshen Sports Complex
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Eldred at Liberty Middle School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School
Wednesday, May 20
10 a.m.: Boys Varsity Golf Championship vs. Multiple Schools at West Point Golf Course
11 a.m.: Girls Varsity Sectionals vs. Multiple Schools at Apple Greens Golf Course
4 p.m.: JV Softball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at The Rock Sports Park
Result: Liberty 27, Chester 13
The Liberty JV softball team continued their winning ways today, traveling to Chester and flying home with a high-powered 27-13 victory over S.S. Seward. The win marks the second time this season the Redhawks have defeated Seward in a game that featured plenty of offensive fireworks from both sides before Liberty ultimately pulled away.
The game started as a neck-and-neck shootout, with both squads trading punches early and matching each other with two runs apiece in the opening frame. Liberty appeared to take total control in the top of the second inning, exploding for a massive nine-run outburst. However, the resilient Seward squad refused to go quietly, responding with five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to keep themselves well within striking distance. After trading runs through the third and fourth innings, the Redhawks finally found their separation in the later frames as the defense and pitching locked things down. The Redhawks plated four runs in the 5th and three more in the 6th, all while holding Seward completely scoreless. The definitive exclamation point came in the final frame when the relentless Redhawks poured on seven insurance runs in the top of the 7th, putting the game entirely out of reach for Seward.
The emotional highlight of the day belonged on the pitcher’s mound. Amelia Cole delivered a gritty, stellar performance, tossing her very first complete game. Cole navigated all seven innings to secure her first official JV victory. Following the final out, her teammates celebrated the major milestone in ecstatic fashion with her.
Supporting Cole was a Liberty offense that put on an absolute clinic. The batters showed incredible discipline to draw 10 walks while terrorizing Seward’s pitching staff for 28 total hits. In a true team effort, every single Redhawk player crossed the plate to score at least one run. Olivia Matuszak led the charge, racking up an incredible six hits, including two doubles, while scoring three runs and driving in four. Montgomery Allen also had a monster day at the plate, adding five hits with a triple, scoring four runs, and driving in a game-high seven RBIs.
The offensive barrage did not stop there. Emma Tacti added two doubles and two singles to finish with five RBIs, a feat matched by Corinne Lake, who also drove in five runs on a four-hit day. Alex Kelly and Myla Rielly each cracked a double and scored four runs apiece, while Mya Davis chipped in a triple to round out the extra-base hits.
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Tri-Valley at Liberty Elementary School
NA: Varsity Softball vs. Beacon
Result: Liberty win by forfeit
In a bittersweet but historic turn of events, the Liberty Varsity Softball team officially clinched second place in the OCIAA Division 3 yesterday afternoon. The division victory was awarded to the Redhawks via forfeit by the Beacon Bulldogs, who were forced to withdraw due to a depleted roster after losing their starting pitcher to an injury. While it wasn’t the traditional battle on the diamond, the win solidifies a milestone achievement for the Liberty program.
With the victory officially in the books, the Redhawks have secured their best finish since New York State implemented its new divisional format during the 2023-2024 school year. For a team that battled adversity before the season even began, taking the number two spot in the division is nothing short of extraordinary.
To truly appreciate the magnitude of this achievement, one has to look back to the first week of tryouts. Low turnout left the athletic department uncertain if Liberty could even field a Varsity squad this spring. When the program was on the brink, a group of resilient student-athletes stepped up. Despite having little to no prior softball experience, Danielia Ponce Flores, Analeah Ocasio, Katterin Reyes Guardado, Aimee Sherwood, and Tianna Wilson dove headfirst into the sport. They learned the game on the fly with infectious enthusiasm, and as their skills grew, every single one of these newcomers became an essential piece of the puzzle, directly contributing to Liberty’s divisional run.
By traditional metrics, it was a grueling season. A brutal non-division schedule led to a tough overall win-loss record, a truly inexperienced roster, and a plague of injuries tested the roster’s depth on a weekly basis. Yet, numbers on a standard scoreboard don’t tell the whole story. This 2026 Redhawks squad did something no previous team in the modern divisional era could accomplish. They showed grit, saved a season from cancellation, and put Liberty softball back on the map.
The regular season comes to a close this afternoon. The Redhawks will take their home field one last time as they host S.S. Seward. First pitch is scheduled for today at 4:30, and local fans are encouraged to come out and support a team that should hold their heads high after a remarkable, barrier-breaking year.
Thursday, May 21
10 a.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Rockland Central School District at Cooperstown Double Day Field
4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Tri-Valley Central School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Rockland Central School District at Rockland MS/HS
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Rockland Central School District at Liberty Elementary School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. S.S. Seward Institute at Liberty High School
Result: Liberty 3, S.S. Seward 18
The Liberty Varsity softball team endured a difficult final tune-up of the regular season today, dropping an 18-3 decision to a sharp S.S. Seward squad. The Spartans wasted no time setting the tone, taking advantage of early Liberty errors and walks to jump out to a commanding 14-0 lead through the first two innings, leaving the Redhawks searching for answers.
Seward’s offense proved relentless from the opening pitch, challenging Liberty’s pitching and defense. The Spartans’ disciplined approach at the plate yielded 11 hits and 10 walks, keeping the basepaths busy and the pressure turned up high. The visitors’ attack was spearheaded by the lethal duo of Emerson Dazi and Julia Contursi. The pair put on a hitting clinic, combining for six hits—including three doubles—and crossing the plate five times to anchor the Spartans’ high-scoring afternoon.
Despite the early deficit, the Redhawks refused to throw in the towel and found a few bright spots at the plate as the game progressed. Power-hitting Amy Szuba provided a spark for the home crowd when she crushed a towering double deep into right field. Meanwhile, leadoff hitter Maddy Stewart did her job at the top of the lineup, reaching base twice with a single and a walk, terrorizing the defense with two stolen bases, and eventually coming around to score. Annaleah Ocasio also showed great patience at the dish, drawing two walks and scoring a run for the Redhawks.
While the regular season officially came to a close for both Seward and the Varsity squads tonight, the real season is just beginning for Liberty. The Redhawks will shift their focus immediately to the postseason. The team is scheduled to find out their official seed and tournament schedule tonight for the Sectional playoffs, which are set to kick off next week. With a clean slate ahead of them, the Redhawks will look to shake off the finale and bring their best to the postseason stage.
4:30 p.m.: JV Softball vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis Middle School
Result: Liberty 2, Port Jervis 9
The Liberty JV softball squad ran into a formidable buzzsaw on Thursday, dropping a tough 9-2 decision on the road against a powerhouse Port Jervis Raiders program. Despite the final score, the Redhawks have every reason to hold their heads high. Port Jervis boasts a deeply talented roster loaded with seasoned travel players, but Liberty went toe-to-toe with them in a gritty, high-energy battle that proved just how much heart this team possesses.
The Raiders jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, using their powerful lineup to set the tone. However, the Redhawks refused to back down. In the top of the third, Liberty’s disciplined approach paid off as they manufactured a run to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Port Jervis showed why they are one of the most respected programs in the area, breaking the game open by tacking on five runs over the next two innings to seal the victory. Yet, looking at the box score, the game was much closer than the final tally indicated. The Redhawks were only out-hit 6 to 4 on the afternoon, battling fiercely against a dominant Port Jervis ace.
Several Liberty players put together stellar performances against the elite pitching. Montgomery Allen shone brightly with some phenomenal at-bats in the defeat, finishing the day with two hits and a run scored. Corinne Lake also displayed incredible discipline at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored, while Harper Matuszak proved to be a major factor by adding a hit, a walk, and an RBI to the Redhawks’ tally. Liberty’s overall enthusiasm never wavered, and the players represented their school with immense pride and class from the first pitch to the final out.
With the loss, the Redhawks’ impressive season record now stands at 7-3. They have one final regular-season showdown remaining next Tuesday on the road against Fallsburg, where they will look to finish the year on a high note.
Win or lose, this group showed exactly what Liberty softball is all about at the end of the day. Following the tough loss, the team didn’t let their spirits drop. Instead, they proved they are a true family by heading straight to Burger King to celebrate teammate Sophia’s birthday. Complete with party hats, laughter, and birthday cake, the Redhawks reminded everyone that the bond they share stretches far beyond the diamond.
Friday-Sunday, May 22-24
No events scheduled