By Joseph Staszewski
Construction’s rise to the top of the PSAL is nearly complete.
The second-seeded Red Hawks won the league’s Class B softball title four years ago and will now get a chance to play for the ‘A’ crown after a decisive 11-1, six-inning, run-rule win over No. 3 DeWitt Clinton in the semifinals Sunday afternoon at the College of Staten Island. Construction lost in the quarters two years ago and the semifinals last season before breaking through to the final for the first time in school history.
“It just feels incredible,” said senior catcher Kailan Luciano, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. “Ever since I was a freshman my dream was to come to the championship.”
Junior ace Britney Rodriguez was again superb, allowing just a first-inning run before stranding runners on first and second with no outs to limit the damage. She went on to allow just two hits while striking out 10 for the Red Hawks (19-1).
“I was just ready to play with hyperness,” Rodriguez said. “I had to bring myself down.”
Her lineup provided all the run support she needed in the second inning by scoring seven times, bringing 11 batters to the plate and taking advantage of Clinton (19-1) miscues. Luciano started her big afternoon with a triple to right field to lead things off.
Amy Pirozek, who was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, delivered an RBI single and Emily Perez came through with a big three-run double over the right fielder’s head to extend the lead to 5-1. Delana Murry plated a run with a ground out and Luciano made it 7-1 with an RBI double.
Construction scored twice more in the fifth and Pirozek singled home Luciano in the bottom of the sixth to invoke the run rule and send the Construction players spilling onto the field in celebration.
“It’s a long time coming,” Red Hawks Coach Marco Migliaccio said. “Every year we’d come close.”
The Red Hawks understand there is one more game to play against top-seeded and two-time defending champion Tottenville 1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s University. Construction already owns a 6-5 win over the Pirates, who have won eight of the last nine crowns. The players want to prove once and for all that they are the better team.
“We want to show everyone it’s not a mistake,” Luciano said of the regular season win. “We won that game for a reason.”
