Defending State Champion Holy Child is battling for the League title in softball this week, with Rye Country Day waiting in the wings.
By Melanie Cane
Holy Child is battling for the League title in softball this week, with Rye Country Day waiting in the wings.
The teams are tied with St. Lukes for first place in the Fairchester Athletic Association.
Rye Country Day suffered its only loss of the season to Holy Child on May 3, losing 10-7.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, with Holy Child scoring one run on an RBI single by pitcher Molly Leitner. The Wildcats took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning, but Holy Child came alive scoring five runs, including a grand slam by Leitner.
Despite the loss, Rye Country Day outslugged Holy Child, with 13-10 hits. Pitcher Eve Wulf remained steady, striking out seven Gryphon batters.
Holy Child’s Elizabeth Curcio batted four for four with a home run and three RBIs. Leitner batted three for three with an intentional walk and six RBIs. She pitched four strikeouts from the mound.
Wildcats’ Coach Margaret Scarcella said her team “will bounce back from this and learn from it. We hope to meet them in the playoffs to avenge our loss. The team showed tremendous heart.”
Rye Country Day went on to defeat King on May 7 and Masters on May 10. The Wildcats play Hackley on Wednesday.
Mike Clancy, Holy Child’s coach, said he was thrilled with the win over the Wildcats. “The girls could have folded their tents after falling behind early.”
Holy Child lost to St. Lukes on May 6 and has two League games this week. The State tournament, which the Gryphons won last year, begins this weekend.
