Players of the Game
Whitman vs. Commack May 12, 2009
Commack's Megan Apper:
3 for 3 with a double and 2 singles.
and
Commack's Annie Iacopelli:
Annie threw a complete game 4 hit shutout with 6 strikeouts.
Whitman's Lauren Alexander:
2 for 3 with 3 stolen bases and played solid defense.
See Box Scores Here
Game Rundown:
Whitman comes in winning seven in a row and has outscored their opponents in that span by a score of 54 to 5. Whitman started off slowly this season as the players and coaches worked hard to get on the same page. The season was moving along at a snails pace, as it seemed they just couldn't put it together. After going into the 5th inning vs. Bay Shore 0-0 and losing to Sachem East 1-0 the girls started to believe and their play started to improve. With the improvement they started to play as one and their defense really stepped it up. What was once a team that had no shot at the playoffs now are in and are another team you do not want to draw. This team will finish with a low seed heading into the playoffs but I can guarantee you that no one will take them lightly.
Today's game features Whitman's Christine Lucido vs. Commack's Annie Iacopelli in what figures to be a pitchers dual between these two teams.
In Whitman's 2nd after one out, Sarah Triolo walked and then Lauren Fitzpatrick drove one to straight away center that had centerfielder Kristina Amato on her horse. Amato covered some ground and almost made a great running catch but just came up short as the ball tipped off her glove. Kristina's hustle kept Triolo from scoring on the hit because she had to wait to see if the ball was going to be caught. With 2nd and 3rd and two outs Lilly Naqvi walked to load the bases. On the second pitch Commack's catcher Megan Apper threw behind the runner at first to pick her off and put an end to Whitman's hopes.
Nicole Hagenah lead off Commack's 3rd with a single and moved to second on Daniella Pusateri's sac bunt. With 2 outs Nicole tried a delay steal but Whitman was up to the task or at least it seemed they were. A great fake throw back to the pitcher by catcher Brianna Calby had Nicole picked off as she headed for third. Just when it looked like the inning was over the ball got away at 3rd and Nicole was safe. Hagenah not happy with her luck at that point jumped up and headed for home in what seemed to be a bad choice. The throw beat her to the plate but as the 2 players made contact at the plate the ball came loose and Commack had a 1-0 lead.
Christine Lucidolead off the 4th and hit a bomb over the right fielders' head for what looked to be a clean lead off double but Christine tried to stretch the double into a triple and was caught at third by some nice relay work by Commack. Rightfielder Sam Willens perfect relay throw to 2nd baseman Nicole Hagenah who threw to 3rd where Alexandra Drago applied the tag.
Commack's 5th started off like they were going to add to their lead as back to back singles by Kristina Amato and Nicole Hagenah put runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. Whitman stepped it up and showed the great defense we talked about earlier. Commack tried a sac bunt but Lauren Fitzpatrick was on the ball quickly and turned to fire to third where SS Lauren Alexander was waiting to get the force out at 3rd. As the play developed Alexander looked up and saw that the runner on second had wandered two far and she fired to second baseman Maria Pezzino who applied the tag for a rare 5-6-4 double play. With 2 outs Michelle Andrews stepped up and drove one to left centerfield where center fielder Ali Delprete made a nice running catch to end the inning.
Commack held on as Annie Iacopelli retired the side in order in the 7th and ended Whitman's 7 game winning streak while increasing Commack's streak to 6th in a row.
Final Score: Commack 1, Whitman 0