New Hyde Park Softball Beats Clarke, 14-8

It's not often when you give up two hits that a loss is the result, but when you walk 15 batters and commit six errors, losing becomes a certainty.That was the case on Wednesday as Clarke (2-2, 0-2) fell to the (3-2, 2-1) 14-8 at 's field.

 The Rams were looking good early, as Maria Ruiz was able to beat out a grounder to drive in the first run of the game. The Rams would expand their lead in the third frame, as an RBI triple from Alyssa Colletti, followed by an RBI single from Danielle Ferrara gave Clarke a 3-0 lead. Clarke added a run later in the inning to have a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.

That's where it all fell apart.

New Hyde Park decided to test the Rams with bunts and Clarke struggled. The first three reached on three consecutive bunt plays, and then the first run scored on a throwing error, the first of six errors that Clarke would commit on the day.

"We made too many mistakes," Clarke Coach Chrissy DeMott said. "We walked too many and we had too many errors."

The Gladiators added three more in the inning to pull even with Clarke, taking advantage of walks from Randazzo and suspect defense from the Rams in the process. New Hyde Park jumped in front in the fourth when runs scored on an error and a balk, giving the Gladiators a 6-4 lead after four.

A wild pitch allowed another New Hyde Park runner to cross the plate in the fifth, but the Rams had one last comeback in them.

Raichel led off the top of the sixth with a single, and she scored on a Randazzo RBI liner. After Demi Shanahan singled, Colletti added a two-run double to tie the game.

"It was exuberating," Colletti said. "It was a big hit for the team in the game."

Ruiz added an RBI ground out, and Clarke ended the half-inning up 8-7.

The bottom half of the frame was downright ugly for the Rams, as Sara Cornell struggled with her command, walking five batters and hitting a batter before eventually being pulled. When all was said and done, New Hyde Park had a 14-8 lead heading to the seventh inning.

"You just don't win games when you pitch and field like that," DeMott added.

Sara Burkey of New Hyde Park was proud of the restraint and patience her team showed as Clarke's pitchers struggled with their command.

"All we had to do is be patient," Burkey said. "It was really nice to see the team come together and get the job done."

New Hyde Park Coach Jackie Rizzuti was happy with the way stuck together toward the end of the game.

"We finished strong," Rizzuti said. "They showed confidence in each other and we ended up with the win."

What's Next? Clarke returns to action when it hosts Plainedge at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and New Hyde Park visits at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.