NEWBURGH - Nancy Holbrook isn't sure her heart can handle much more excitement.
The retirement tour for the Middletown head coach has been extended for at least another week as her Bears rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning - only minutes after surrendering the first score of the game - to post a 3-1 victory over Monroe-Woodbury in the Section 9 Class AAA title game on May 30.
"Oh my God, it's been like that the past couple of weeks,'' a relieved Holbrook said, tearing up as she spoke of the end of her coaching career. "The games ... oh my God, I can't take it. Thank God I'm retiring.''
Middletown snuck into the postseason with a doubleheader sweep of Newburgh on May 19. Then the Bears upset top seed Pine Bush 3-2 in the semifinals on May 28.
Once again, Middletown escaped the perils of defeat. Down 1-0 headed into the seventh, No. 8 batter Sophia Sanchez lined a single off the glove of MW pitcher Isabella Brelesky. Hailey Rodriguez laid down a bunt right in front of the plate but the throw to first base sailed over the covering fielder. Up stepped leadoff batter Alissandra Soto and she crushed a 1-0 offering, the ball falling over a twisting left fielder and just shy of the fencing for a go-ahead two-run double. One out later, Alyssa Platero lined an RBI single to left for a 3-1 lead.
"Honestly, I was just trying to put the ball in play,'' Soto said.
Soto also produced the game-winning hit in the tenth inning of the semifinal win over Pine Bush.
"You've got to put the ball in play and make things happen,'' Holbrook said.
Monroe scored in the sixth. Gabby Schaeffer posted a leadoff walk, Ava Hayes moved her over with a sacrifice bunt and Cori Exarchakis ripped an RBI single to center.
No. 4 Middletown (11-8) - The Bears have seven seniors. "This was the year, if we were going to get it,'' Holbrook said. Middletown won the AA title in 2016. ... It was the Bears' fifth victory by two runs-or-fewer. ... The Bears won three of four meetings with Monroe. ... Sanchez and Gabriella Diaz had the other hits. ... Bethannie French fanned three batters for the win.
No. 2 Monroe-Woodbury (12-6) - Monroe has four seniors. ... The Crusaders were held to a leadoff double by Isabella Brelesky and singles by Nadia Jemison, Brelesky and Cori Exarchakis. ... MW stranded seven runners, three in scoring position. ... Brelesky fanned four batters. ... Monroe was the AA champ in 2022 and 2023. The last time MW lost a sectional final was 2016, to Middletown.
"You just gotta believe, and they did.'' - Nancy Holbrook, Middletown coach
"It feels really good. ... It was a lot of hard work, tears, blood ... I know it sounds like everyone says that but it's really true.'' - Alissandra Soto, Middletown senior and leadoff batter
Middletown will take on the Section 4 champ (Corning-Painted Post or Elmira) in a state Class AAA quarterfinal at Monroe-Woodbury on June 7. A win sends the Bears into the state Final Four for the first time since 1985 (semifinal loss) and 1987 (final loss).