Jenny Hickey already had a no-hitter attached to her name when she helped the New Hyde Park 11/12 Girls softball team into the state championship match a week ago.
Now she can add a perfect game to her resume as her team dominated Delaware 8-0 in the second game Eastern Regional Tournament.
Hickey kept Delaware off balance all game with her change-up that she threw every time it seemed the Delaware batter thought she had her timed. Hickey’s control was so good in this game that she never had 3 balls on any batter and only had the count run to 2 balls on 3 batters the entire game.
On defense for New Hyde Park Emma Nidermaier caught a deep fly to right center in the first inning while Melissa Ward had the play of the game on a line drive just to her right to end the the opening frame.
In the last inning Nicole Kuzler showed her range, going far to her left at third base then firing to Kayla Fitzpatrick at first to get the out. Sophia Jacoby had two putouts and an assist at second. Catcher Ann Grimshaw was rock solid as always as the other end of the impressive battery for New Hyde Park.
The offense was led by leadoff hitter Fitzpatrick, who opened the game with a double before scoring on Grimshaw’s single to center. Sophia Jacoby walked and scored in the second on a bunt by Nicole Kuzler who also scored in the second inning. Kuzler later singled in a run in the third as well, scoring Gabby Morales who worked a walk.
New Hyde Park put 4 runs on the board in the sixth to extend the lead to 8-0. Hannah Arkin, who stole 5 bases in the game, led off with a walk then stole second and third, scoring on a perfectly placed bunt off the bat of Emma Nidermaier who stole her way all the way around to third as well. Fitzpatrick walked then Hickey knocked in both with a single to center while Grimshaw ripped a single to left for another RBI.
To have one great pitcher on a team and you'll be hard to beat but have two on a team and there's no stopping them. Good Luck!!