https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Phippen-s-miniscule-ERA-earns-her-Player-of-the-12994123.php
Phippen's miniscule ERA earns her Player of the Year honors
Published 11:15 am, Thursday, June 14, 2018
Athlete of the Year: Calista Phippen, Ichabod Crane
Being denied a third straight Section II Class B title in 2017 did not sit well with Calista Phippen. Instead of merely lamenting about the Riders' 1-0 title setback against Cohoes, Phippen set out to make sure her team would be the one winning the championship in 2018.
Not only did Ichabod Crane capture another sectional crown, the Riders went on to win a second state championship. The focal point of that run was Phippen, the two-time New York recipient of the Gatorade Player of the Year award. The Marist-bound pitcher put together a season for the ages — a 22-1 record, a dazzling 0.09 earned-run average (just two earned runs in 148 innings of work), 357 strikeouts, two perfect games and seven no-hitters.
What sparked such a spectacular season? A stinging setback.
As she stood basking in the glow of Saturday's 2-0 state title triumph over top-ranked Susquehanna Valley, Phippen reflected back on falling to Cohoes in the 2017 Section II Class B final.
"It hurt so much last year to watch that ball fly into left field and hurt to watch that girl go around third and come home," Phippen said. "Personally, it made me work so hard during the summer. I worked on hitting spots. I picked up a few new pitches and I perfected everything I had because I didn't want to let these girls down again. I didn't want to let them down. They were giving me everything, so I had to give everything.
"Not only did these girls inspire me, but I really wanted it. I wanted to give back."
"The kid threw a no-hitter in the state semifinals and one-hitter in the final. What else can you say?," Ichabod Crane coach Tracy Nytransky said. "She is that good for a reason, because she put the work in."
A four-time Times Union Small School first-team selection, Phippen did not really understand the playoff process when the Riders won the 2015 state title. She certainly knew what was at stake as a senior — one final chance to show everyone just how much she wanted to win it all again.
"She is definitely an A-1 player. I don't know if I will ever have a kid like that again," Nytransky said. "Calista worked for everything. This has been the best year. What happened in 2015 was unexpected. Not that getting here (in 2018) was expected. She knew what it took. Seventy-five percent of the reason we were here was because of her.
"Yes, we made the plays when we needed to make them. We're not here without her. That's the real deal."
"Like we've said all along: The team that executed is going to win. We executed," Phippen said. "I just can't express how proud of my team I am."
jallen@timesunion.com • 518-454-5062 • @TUSidelines
