The RGMVM girls’ 13- and 14-year-old junior softball team captured the District 27 championship flag with a 10-9 come-from-behind victory against archrivals Ozone Howard. In an exciting best two-out-of-three series that would go the distance, RGMVM c
Game one was a defensive battle with Ozone Howard starting its talented windmiller, Alexa Rosella, and RGMVM starting its ace windmiller, Kayley Ferran. In the first inning Ozone Howard had a runner caught stealing by RGMVM’s all-star catcher, Melissa Krauss, but was able to put one run on the board. In the bottom of the first, RGMVM threatened but came up empty, leaving the bases loaded.
RGMVM’s big rally came in the third, when Vanessa Melendez started things off with a single and Kayley Ferran reached on an error. A wild pitch set the stage for RGMVM’s cleanup hitter Danny Amato with runners on second and third. Danny delivered a two-RBI base hit. Melissa Krauss stepped up to bat and hit a hard shot that couldn’t be handled by Ozone Howard, sending Danny in to score and giving RGMVM a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Ozone Howard’s third baseman added another run when its second baseman drove her home. In the fifth inning, Kayley Ferran came up with a tremendous defensive play when Ozone Howard, with runners on first and third, tried to steal second base.
Kayley turned and fired the ball to second baseman Lynn Shiano, picking off an unaware Ozone Howard player for the final out. In the bottom of the fifth, Danny Amato got things going for RGMVM with a shot to right field. After Danny stole second, Melissa Krauss delivered an RBI single and RGMVM was on top, 4-2. Melissa shone again in the sixth inning, picking off an Ozone Howard runner on first and throwing another out on third. RGMVM’s defense and timely hitting led to this 4-2 victory.
Game two once again featured Alexa Rosella vs. Kayley Ferran on the mound. This time Ozone Howard scored one run in the first on an RGMVM error. In the second inning only a big catch by outfielder Michele Esposito kept Ozone Howard to a one-run inning. Ozone Howard scored runs in the third, fourth and seventh, coming out on top with five runs to one.
In game three, RGMVM still had two talented windmillers to hand the ball to — pitchers Lynn Shiano and Sam Stallone, who combined to bring home the flag. RGMVM struck first with three big runs in the top of the first. Sam Stallone reached first when she was hit by a pitch, followed by a walk to No. 3 batter Kirsten Smith.
Melissa Krauss came up with a big two-out single, followed by Kayley Ferran with a clutch two-out double. In the bottom half of the first, Ozone Howard threatened with the bases loaded, but starting pitcher Lynn Shiano was helped by a big 6-5 double play. She then struck out the final batter in the inning.
RGMVM shone defensively in the third with a pick-off by catcher Melissa Krauss of a runner on first and a great play by speedy centerfielder Bonnie DeFina to end the inning. Kristy Esposito started off the fourth inning with a nice hit. Alyssa Goldbach was sent in to pinch run. Bonnie moved her to third, and Lynn Shiano, with her second double of the game, brought her home.
Shortstop Vanessa Melendez then singled in Lynn and RGMVM was up 5-0. Ozone Howard, however, would not give up. In the bottom of the fourth — in a game that had been played from the beginning with questionable calls from the home plate umpire — Ozone Howard came up with two big runs. RGMVM countered in the top of the fifth when Kirsten Smith led off with a single. She stole second and, on a costly Ozone Howard error, she came around third to score.
After an exhausting fourth inning for RGMVM’s pitcher Lynn Shiano, Sam Stallone stepped in to pitch to rest RGMVM’s starter. A difficult umpire, however, did not make it easy for Sam. Ozone Howard rallied with big hits after some difficult calls. It seemed like the inning wouldn’t end, as Ozone Howard scored seven more runs to take a 9-6 lead.
Spirits lost, the RGMVM girls came off the field exhausted and depressed. Great teams, however, never give up. The parents and coaches wouldn’t let that happen. They gathered around the girls’ dugout and cheered and rallied the team, giving the girls a new life. In one of RGMVM Softball’s greatest moments, the girls rose to a new level.
Alyssa Golbach, Bonnie DeFina and Lynn Shiano led off with walks as the entire RGMVM crowd cheered. Sam Stallone knocked in a run, putting the pressure on Ozone Howard. After both Vanessa Melendez and Kirsten Smith reached first, two runs had already scored. Cleanup hitter Danny Amato then delivered a devastating two-run double and RGMVM had taken a 10-9 lead.
With excellent pitching in the sixth and seventh innings, Lynn Shiano nailed down the victory for RGMVM. Second base player Sam Stallone fittingly caught the final out and was mobbed by her teammates. The coaches and parents looked on proudly as the RGMVM Junior Softball Champion Girls took their victory lap with the District 27 flag. Congratulations, girls!
