Behind a three run third inning and some timely pitching that stalled a comeback late in the game, Patchogue-Medford defeated Sachem North, 6-5, in a Friday afternoon girls softball game at Patchogue-Medford.
Patchogue-Medford’s Kim Fazio and Meagan Anderson were the main catalysts for their one-run victory. Fazio, who was also the starting pitcher, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Anderson also went 2-for-4 with one RBI and scored the run that would put the Raiders ahead for good. Fazio was also the winning pitcher and pitched a complete game.
“I would say that my battery really came through,” said Dave Gervino, head coach of Patchogue-Medford, referring to Fazio and Anderson, who was the starting catcher. “They came through on both sides of the ball, defensively and offensively.”
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The game started with Sachem North jumping on top early in the first inning. With two outs and two strikes on Sachem North’s No. 3 hitter Chelsea Palmer, Palmer blasted a solo home run to left field to give Sachem North an early 1-0 lead.
That lead would be short lived for Sachem as Patchogue-Medford came back to tie it in the bottom half of that inning. A 1 out walk would eventually come around to score on a passed ball by the catcher Deanna Pomilla.
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The game was still tied at 1 going in the bottom of the third inning, and this was the inning what Patchogue-Medford would pull away for good. Following a lead-off walk and a single, Fazio singled to put her team ahead 2-1. The next batter hit a single that scored both runners on base to give the Raiders a three run lead.
The top of the fifth inning would see Sachem make one of two attempts to get back into the game. With runners on second and third with one out, Jessica Sweeney knocked a double to deep left-center field to score both runners and cut Patchogue-Medford’s lead in half.
After the Raiders scored again to extend the lead to 6-3, Sachem North headed to the top of the seventh inning with one last chance to come from behind and tie the game.
After two singles and a walk, two Sachem North runners would score on a throwing error to make the game 6-5. There was a runner on third, which was the tying run, with two outs and Pomilla at the plate with an opportunity to do some damage with her bat. Luckily for Patchogue-Medford, Pomilla popped out to end the game and left that runner stranded.
“It was too little, too late,” said Sachem coach Ken Sasso. “We missed a couple of key hits. We had some runners on base. A hit here or there and it’s a different game.”
Despite the loss, Sasso also credited his pitcher, Jen Daniello with keeping them in the game and giving them a chance to `make a comeback. Daniello pitched 3 innings in relief and only allowed 1 earned run.
The victory improves Patchogue-Medford’s record to 7-4, while Sachem North’s record is now 3-8 on the season.
