For the second time in the past three years the Lady Merchants of Syracuse New York won the 16 and under class B state championship. This was the first step taken in the pursuit of the dreams of the players, coaches, and fans of the Lady Merchants softball team. That dream could be none other than a national championship, and the step was winning the state title in Saratoga Springs this past weekend. Not only did the Lady Merchants team win the state title, but they did it while being undefeated and outscoring their opponents 33-8.

The Lady Merchants went 6-0 behind the strong pitching of Kayla Mills and Nicole Traylor. Kayla Mills began the tournament by pitching a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in five innings in the first game while Nicole Traylor ended the tournament by pitching an outstanding game and getting the game winning RBI in the 8th inning. Supporting the pitchers was the outstanding hitting by catcher Elizabeth Gilbert who went 3 for 3 in the championship game and had an average of .570 for the weekend and center fielder Carly Nicoletti who had an average of .550 for the state tournament. To win the state championship the Lady Merchants had to defeat last years national champion the Mohawk Valley Mystic, which they did. Their victories were aided by strong defense by shortstop Dominque Ortiz, first baseman Brittany Kaiser, second baseman Nicole Lippert, and third baseman Kelly Kaltenbach. The Outfielders, Kaitlyn Peryer, Carly Nicoletti, Denise Bilbow, with backup by Samantha Paulding, and Michelle Gillette gave outstanding efforts with zero errors for the entire tournament. Special note has to be given to the Merchants "speedster" Denise Bilbow who stole 7 out of 8 bases.

The next step for the girls is a tournament in Indian River where they will actually be defending last years title against some of the other teams in the greater New York area. Along with each of the tournaments planned for the summer and the fundraising that they are going to have to do to pay for the trip to Altamonte Springs, Florida, each girl is ready for the summer ahead and each are ready to work hard for their dream, the dream of being a National Champion.