Softball: Pearl River wins Section 1 Class A title for first time since 2016

Debbie Schechter, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

THIELLS — The last time Pearl River won the Section 1 softball championship the Oklahoma Sooners were just starting to really take their place as the dominate team in Division 1 softball.

And at that time, it had been six years removed from winning the NYSPHSAA Class A title.

For the second-seeded Pirates to defeat cross town rival and top-seeded Tappan Zee 2-0 in Saturday's Section 1 Class A championship game, it was two years in the making.

Pearl River pitcher Kiera Luckie, right, jumps into the arms of catcher Brooke Donnelly after beating Tappan Zee in the Section One Class A softball championship at North Rockland High School, May 25, 2024. Pearl River beat Tappan Zee, 2-0.
Pearl River pitcher Kiera Luckie, right, jumps into the arms of catcher Brooke Donnelly after beating Tappan Zee in the Section One Class A softball championship at North Rockland High School, May 25, 2024. Pearl River beat Tappan Zee, 2-0.

"Last year's squad was young with four eighth-grade starters and three seniors Cat Arnold, Kiera Luckie and Grace Scrima," Pirates coach Chris Woolgar said. "It's the culmination of two years of the team buying in, the older girls bringing the younger girls along and we got the job done."

The two teams split the regular season series with Pearl River winning back in April and Tappan Zee winning earlier in May.

"This was the best matchup we could've had," Pirates second baseman Ella McHugh said. "They were definitely the hardest competition we could've faced."

In the top of the third inning, with one out, Pirates center fielder Taylor Donnelly hit a base hit. She came around two score on a two-out hit by McHugh to put the Pirates up 1-0.

Luckie was able to do the rest. She tossed a two-htter allowing no walks and struck out six and she had a perfect game going into the fifth inning two outs before Adrianna D'Orio broke it up.

"I felt very confident knowing that I strong team and strong defense behind me," Luckie said. "It wasn't the end of the world if they got a hit off of me. I knew that someone would back me up."

Pirates got an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when McHugh led off the inning wiht a single. Luckie got down the sacrifice bunt to move McHugh into scoring position. After advancing to third on a passed ball, rightfielder Bella Capparelli flied out center bringing in McHugh from third.

What it means

Pearl River will play Section 9 champion Marlboro Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Monroe Woodbury in the sub-regional round.

Tappan Zee ends their season with a record of 15-6

Player of the game

Pearl River pitcher Kiera Luckie delivers a pitch to Tappan Zee during the Section One Class A softball championship at North Rockland High School, May 25, 2024. Pearl River beat Tappan Zee, 2-0.
Pearl River pitcher Kiera Luckie delivers a pitch to Tappan Zee during the Section One Class A softball championship at North Rockland High School, May 25, 2024. Pearl River beat Tappan Zee, 2-0.

Kiera Luckie, Pearl River: The senior had a perfect game going unitl there were two outs in the top of the fifth inning. She tossed a two-hitter with no walks and struck out six.

By the numbers

Pearl River (16-5): Ella McHugh 2-3, RS, RBI; Taylor Donnelly 3-3, RS, SB; Bella Caparrelli RBI; Kayla Damon one hit; Kiera Luckie WP.

Tappan Zee (15-6): Stella Bertoli and Adrianna D'Orio each had double; Haley Arvidson LP, 2R, 6H, 0BB, 4K.

They said that

"Ever since I was younger, it was my dream to even get to North Rockland. So the fact they were able to get here and win it means a lot to me. We worked hard all season for this so I think we're definitely deserving of it." ~Pirates ace Kiera Luckie on winnning the Section 1 title.

Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie; @LoHudSoftball

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Softball: Pearl River wins Section 1 Class A title for first time since 2016

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