Chatham batter Skylar Groom takes a swing during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham head softball coach JB Brantley talks to his team during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham batter Meta Mountain takes a swing during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham baserunner Skylar Groom, right, gets a high five after scoring a run during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham starting pitcher Laney Steltz works against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham shortstop Meta Mountain makes a play during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham center fielder Skylar Groom makes a play during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Bethlehem batter Molly Campbell takes a swing during a game against Chatham on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham shortstop Meta Mountain makes a play during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham center fielder Skylar Groom makes a play during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Bethlehem batter Molly Campbell takes a swing during a game against Chatham on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham batter Skylar Groom takes a swing during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham batter Meta Mountain takes a swing during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham baserunner Skylar Groom slides into second under a tag by Bethlehem shortstop Annie Franchini on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham shortstop Meta Mountain makes a play during a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Bethlehem center fielder Molly Campbell makes a play during a game against Chatham on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Bethlehem center fielder Molly Campbell makes a play during a game against Chatham on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
Chatham head softball coach JB Brantley hits infield warm ups prior to a game against Bethlehem on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Delmar, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Jim Franco/Times Union
DELMAR — Last spring, Chatham achieved its goal of winning a Section 2 Class B softball title, ultimately capturing a state championship. This season, while the Panthers hope to repeat those accomplishments, they know that several teams are also striving for the same goals.
“I think it drives us knowing teams are out to get us,” Chatham junior pitcher/outfielder Skylar Groom said. “It is a different feeling than last year because we were trying to establish ourselves. This year, it is to show up better and show out.”
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The Panthers entered the week ranked No. 1 in the latest Class B state poll. They suffered an 11-4 setback Tuesday at Class AA foe Bethlehem. Chatham had previously defeated Suburban Council Class AAA squads Guilderland (3-2) and Saratoga Springs (10-5).
“That is why we book these games, to get a sectional feel,” Chatham coach J.B. Brantley said. “It gives us a chance to work on things we don’t see every day (playing league games). It is humbling for the coaches and the players. Now it is time to hit the reset button and get back to the basics.”
“It hurt, but I really think we kind of needed it,” Chatham senior shortstop Meta Mountain said. “We have to dial in. We can work harder.”
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“I think this is going to humble us and make us work harder in practice,” Groom said. “We will be stronger the next time we play.”
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Chatham (9-1 overall, 5-0 Patroon Conference) returns to league action Friday at Catskill and then takes on Shenendehowa, ranked No. 6 in Class AAA, on Saturday. The Panthers also have a scheduled contest on May 12 vs. No. 21 Class AAA-rated Colonie.
“Overall, I think we have done well. We were getting comfortable, so this one was a wake-up call that we need to push forward,” Mountain said regarding the loss to Bethlehem.
“I have been saying for a while, we’ve got the best softball in the state,” Brantley said of Section 2. “It is harder to get out of the section than it is to get to the (state) final four. We are not looking that far ahead right now. We have to take care of things in practice and the little things that could become a big problem if they are not taken care of. Hats off to Bethlehem. They were the better team. We are looking forward to seeing how we respond.”
Groom, the 2025 Times Union Small School and Class B State Player of the Year, tops the team this season with a .520 batting average. She has three home runs, 11 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 12 stolen bases, hitting leadoff for the Panthers.
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“She does square the ball up. Pound-for-pound, she is a machine,” Brantley said.
Groom has been sharing the pitching load with freshman Lainey Steltz (.500 average, 4-1 pitching), who took the loss vs. Bethlehem.
“This was an opportunity to get Lainey some experience as a freshman,” Brantley said. “It is invaluable. We were thinking long term instead of short term.”
Senior second baseman Rylie Bardon (.480, 12 RBIs), senior outfielder Samantha Silver (.459, seven RBIs) and freshman third baseman Riley Pulver (.348, eight RBIs) join Groom and Mountain (.364, 15 RBIs) in pacing the offense.
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Chatham edged Tamarac 6-5 in the 2025 sectional final. The Bengals are ranked No. 2 in the state poll and posted an impressive 3-2 win in 10 innings over Averill Park on Tuesday. Two other area teams, Hoosick Falls and La Salle, are ranked among the top 25 Class B schools in the state.
“It is always very hard to get out of the section and I think, yes, it will be tougher this season,” Groom said. “We have to be more into it and lock in more than we have the past couple of games. … No one is going easy. No one is here to lose. We’ll be ready to go the rest of the way.”
“It wasn’t easy last year. There are more top teams, so there is more for us to work towards,” Mountain said. “There is so much motivation to win, especially with this being my senior season. I want to go out with a bang. We know what has to take place. We know what to do.”
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Brantley believes Tuesday’s loss can be a springboard toward success next month and beyond.
“It would mean a lot to do it again because we know it is a journey that is tough to get through,” Brantley said. “We preach, and our motto has been to take on adversity, don’t run from adversity.”