Rye Country Day Softball
By Melanie Cane
Rye Country Day pitcher Kristen Brown opened the April 13 matchup against Greenwich Academy by retiring their batters in order. And with lots of fine play by her teammates, the Wildcats had little trouble shutting out their cross-county rivals 14-0.
In the bottom of the inning, Wildcat leadoff hitter, eighth grader Isabella Sanchez, singled. Therese Mooney sent her home on an RBI single. Mooney stole second and Shane Tomaino moved Mooney to third with a single. Cleanup batter Brown singled Mooney home. Sadie Guffey loaded the bases with a single and eighth grade catcher Lexi Secreto walked in a run. Patricia Bautista walked in another run, as did Sanchez in her second at bat. Mooney hit a two RBI double before the inning ended with the Wildcats up 7-0.
After she retired the side in order in the top of the second, Brown opened the bottom of the inning with a ground ball single. Guffey moved her to second on a fielder’s choice ground ball and Secreto singled her to third. Bautista hit an RBI single between second and third, which sent Brown home.
The Wildcats rallied for five runs in the bottom of the third. Sanchez singled and stole second. Mooney singled and Tomaino laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Brown walked in a run, leaving bases loaded. Guffey hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop, which drove in a run, but Mooney was out at third. Secreto walked to load the bases. Bautista hit an infield popup. An error at first base allowed two runners to score.
After the Gators failed to score in the top of the fifth, the mercy rule applied, and it was game over.
Brown had ten strikeouts and only allowed one hit. Mooney and Tomaino paced the attack with five RBIs and five stolen bases between them. Freshman Sadie Guffey and Secreto contributed two RBIs in their varsity debut. Sanchez made some great plays at centerfield and was very effective as the leadoff batter.
Coach Charles Martinez said the game was a great opportunity for the team to get the season going. “With eight new and young players on the roster, I feel the team really stepped up and played a solid game on both sides. We have played and won three games so far, and the team continues to work hard to improve in all facets.”
Kristen Brown on the mound
Sadie Guffey contributed two RBIs in her varsity debut
Sabrina Reznik safe at first
Eighth grader Isabella Sanchez chasing a popup
