Gabriel Is #1

By Frank Rizzo
MIDDLETOWN — May 9, 2000 -- Karen Gabriel of Cochecton, a 1998 graduate of Jeff-Youngsville Central School, has been chosen Region XV Player of the Year after leading the Orange County CC Colts to the top seed in the upcoming Region XV softball tournament.
OCCC, the defending Region XV champs, start tournament play with a first-round game against Suffolk West today at 4 p.m. in Middletown.
After playing backup to hurler Heather Canfield — who led the Colts to third place at last year’s national tourney — Gabriel got her chance to start this season and has dominated Region XV batters.
Until last Friday’s loss to host Suffolk County CC, Gabriel had won 17 straight games in the region (and OCCC had its 40-game regional winning streak broken).
She finished the regular season 19–1 in Region XV play, 20–7 overall.
“I knew it was tough for her last year and I told her to hang in,” said OCCC coach Stacy Morris, who was tabbed Region XV Coach of the Year. “She earned the [starting] spot and did a phenomenal job. She’s an athlete, a hard worker, and gets better every day.”