The Hoboken High School varsity softball squad defeated Union City High School (6-6) Tuesday afternoon. Senior Yaritza Santiago allowed one hit while earning her fourth win of the season in the 4-0 victory.
"It was a good win," Coach Carmine Ronga said, "we're not hitting the ball but we're winning, these are the growing pains when you get a young team."
Ronga is referring to the youth in Hoboken's line-up. With just two senior starters, the team has a veritable lack of experience in the league.
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But it hasn't stopped the Redwings from winning eight of their first nine games this season.
On Tuesday, the Redwings took a 1-0 lead in the third when sophomore Jayla Vega drove in Madelyn Rodriguez. Vega tried to stretch the hit into a homerun, but was thrown out at the plate.
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In the fourth, Hoboken added two more. Senior Ashley Barron hit the track in center field for a triple. Santiago drove her in with an RBI single, then came around to score when Isabel Rivas added her own RBI single.
After a short weather delay in the top of the sixth, Hoboken increased the lead to 4-0. Amanda Spano led off with a walk. Santiago reached base with a single, advancing to second when Union City caught Spano going for third. She moved on to third when the catcher dropped the third strike on Samantha Maldonado and was forced to throw down to first. Both runners were safe. Santiago would score on a fielding error.
Maldonado was thrown out trying to take an extra base on the error.
"I give Union City a lot of credit," Ronga said. "They made some real nice relay throws and plays to get our girls. They executed well on defense.
Santiago allowed no walks and one hit while striking out six over seven innings. The Redwings had three fielding errors.
At the plate, Hoboken had five hits, two each from seniors Barron and Santiago.
The Redwings are on the road for the next four games. They are next home on May 1 against St. Dominic Academy. Earlier this week, Hoboken won by forfeit and defeated Ferris High School.
