Rye’s softball team faced its fair share of adversity through the first seven games of the season, battling injuries, illness, and no home-field advantage during an 0-7 start. When the calendar flipped to May, things turned around dramatically. Shortly after the Garnets’ home opener on their newly renovated field, the team won three straight games.
The first, an 11-run victory over Byram Hills on Thursday may have been expected, as Rye swept the Bobcats in two spring training scrimmages in Orlando. But following it up with two more wins the following two days is a big step in the right direction just past the midway point of the regular season.
The Garnets (3-7) will go for a fourth-straight win, and first at home, at 4:30 p.m. today against Harrison (9-2).
RYE 9, LAKELAND 8 – After being credited for each of the Garnets’ first two wins, sophomore pitcher Penelope Gilmore made perhaps her most clutch play of the week to earn the save on Saturday.
Seventh-grader Georgina Gilmore started the game and allowed just three hits over five innings to earn her first varsity win. Her sister, Penelope Gilmore, pitched the final two innings and ended the game with a double play, tagging a runner attempting to score the tying run, then throwing to third to get another runner out.
Sophomore center fielder Caroline Joyce had three-plus hits for the third-straight game, junior Charlotte Dinger went 4-for-4 with four RBIs, and Clara Meszkat went 3-for-4 with two runs driven in.
RYE 21, PELHAM 7 — Penelope Gilmore pitched 4 2/3 innings in a five-inning run-rule and was equally impactful at the plate, going 3-for-4 and scoring three runs on Friday.
“One of our pitchers was hurt and others stepped up and got the job done,” said Rye coach Alex Tejera. “Penelope pitched great in relief.”
Joyce went 3-for-3, and senior captain Ava Cross went 4-for-5. Sophomore first baseman Mia Escaleira logged her first varsity hit.
“Great team effort again, everyone contributed,” Tejera said. “We were up early, Pelham came right back, but then we took the lead for good. Proud of the way they played. Good job all around.”
RYE 12, BYRAM HILLS 3 — The Garnets’ first win was especially important as it counted for the semifinals of the Westlake tournament, which was rescheduled from April 26 due to weather. The Garnets will now play the championship game at Westlake as the last game of the regular season, looking to grab their third title in a row.
“Great team effort. They all played well,” Tejera said. “Needed that win.”
Joyce went 4-for-5 with two singles, one double and one triple. The Garnets had production across the lineup with 18 total hits. Freshman shortstop Emma Stark also tallied her first varsity hit.
Penelope Gilmore got the win for Rye, giving up three runs, seven hits, and four walks, with two strikeouts.
“Caroline was 4-for-5 to lead the offense,” Tejera said. “There were clutch hits all around, and Penelope pitched well.”
