Softball: First of its kind event brings Rockland Softball together
GARNERVILLE — These last few years, we've seen a ground swell of support for women's sports in the national limelight... ratings have gone up for the WNBA, college gymnastics and college softball.
We seen the culmination of it with women's college basketball with the ratings from the final four.
So how does all of that translate to Section 1 softball? North Rockland head coach Jackie DiNuzzo came up with a concept for Saturday's Rockland Softball Challenge.
The first of its kind event featured eight of the 10 Rockland County teams facing off not necessarily in a true Rockland County tournament, but in a showcase of talent.
The event which was an idea that was the equivalent to the baseball team's having the opportunity to play at Boulder's Stadium.
"It's great for the sport," DiNuzzo said. "I may be biased but Rockland County, we have a lot of talented players. A lot of the games are close and it's fun to watch."
The eight teams involved were Nanuet, East Ramapo, Pearl River, Clarkstown North, Nyack, Suffern, Tappan Zee and North Rockland and it was at the Town of Haverstraw Sports Complex in Garnerville.
"I feel like it's great to bring the softball commumity together," Clarkstown North catcher Marlee Levin said. "It brings girls sports together. I feel like the guys have had something like this. It's a fun event for us."
These girls are athletes after all, so having all the teams in one place can help with preperation down the road.
"And I feel like it helps everyone support each other," Rams center fielder Siena DeCicco said. "You watch other teams, you gather a scouting report and it raises awareness to girls sports.
The showcase didn't disappoint.
Both players and coaches hope that this showcase is not a one and done, that it comes back year after year.
"It's a good environement," Nyack coach Joe Corretjer said. "All the teams are here pretty much. It was a great day and I hope we keep doing it."
Here are the recaps of the four games:
Clarkstown North 6, Pearl River 5: The Pirates took the lead in the top of the seventh after Kiera Luckie drove in Cat Arnold on a bang bang play at the plate. In the bottom of the inning, the Rams led off with a double by DeCicco and with one out, Levin tied the game with a double of her own. With two outs and Levin on third, an error brought her in with the game winning run.
"The girls didn't give up," Rams coach Dan Gathshore said. "They went back out there and played it as if it was zero, zero. It was great, we really had a great approach."
North Rockland 4, Tappan Zee 1: After the Dutchmen got off to an early lead on an RBI single by Stella Bertoli, the Red Raiders came storming back in the bottom of the third. Hannah Leon led off the frame with a walk and then on the third pitch of the at bat, Ava Jacobs parks one in left center field for a two-run home run that gave the Red Raiders the lead that they would relinquish.
"I tried to stay calm and relaxed," Jacobs said of her at-bat. "After she (Tappan Zee pitcher Keira Meyers), threw me that changeup, I knew one was coming. So I tried to sit back and hit one."
Nyack 12, Suffern 2: Bella Policastro led the way for the Red Hawks going 2 for 4 with a bases loaded triple and finished the day wtih four RBI. Ella Rossiter had two RBI. Gianna Longo went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and three RBI. In the circle, Longo got the win in four innings allowing no hits, one walk and struck out six. Anna Lieman and Melina Georgas drove in the runs for the Mounties.
Nanuet 20, East Ramapo 0, 5: In the first game of the day, Autumn Calvello went 1 for 1 with a home run, two runs scored and had three RBI. Addie Roche went 1 for 1 with a double and three RBI. Ava Barros had a double, two runs scored and two RBI. Jamie Taussi drove in two runs.
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie, @LoHudSoftball
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Softball: First ever Rockland Challenge showcase features top teams
