East Meadow's Late-Inning Comeback Dooms Mepham Softball

The Mepham Lady Pirates softball team got its bats going early against the East Meadow Lady Jets, but the trend would come to a screeching halt.

After putting up six runs in the first two innings, the Pirates (5-3) were held scoreless for the final five innings to fall to the Jets (6-1) in Conference AA-I league play, 9-6.

Amanda Carlin picked up the win for East Meadow pitching all seven innings, giving up six runs on 11 hits, while striking out three batters.

Taylor Conti got the runs started with an RBI single in the top of the first inning off of Mepham pitcher Victoria Gunnels. In the bottom half of the inning, Mepham looked primed for a big offensive day, scoring four runs on five hits.

After Samantha Miller, who went two-for-three with 2 RBIs, knocked in a second run, Mepham responded with RBI singles from Toni Marie Villareano and Casey Thomas in the second inning.

Danielle Cutuli hit a solo home run to left-center field to pull East Meadow within one run. After the Lady Jets tied the score in the next inning, it was followed by an unconventional double play when Marissa San Antonio tagged up from third base too early and was called out on an appeal, keeping the visitors out of the lead for the time being.

After East Meadow turned a double play of their own in the bottom of the fourth, saving a run from crossing, the game turned in the wrong direction for Mepham.

The Lady Jets scored a run in each of the next two innings and finally took the lead again in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Conti to score San Antonio.

East Meadow scored two more insurance runs, as Mepham did not record a hit in the final three innings to fall at home.

"We had a fast start and we had opportunities later on in the game to score runs, but didn't get the big hit like we did in the first two innings," Mepham head coach Mike Muscara said. "We gave up too many walks, especially to walk people to lead off the inning. We just didn't hit and blow the game open like we needed to."

Heroes: While Carlin did not have her best day on the mound for East Meadow, Conti helped the team with her game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning to remain in first place in the Conference.

Turning Point: When East Meadow turned a double play, one of which was an out at home to prevent the run from scoring, Mepham's offense shut down and the Lady Jets scored five runs in the final three innings.

Quotable: "We didn't want to be in that situation to begin with where we are chasing, but they played great and for them not to give up, I am proud," East Meadow head coach Cynthia McCarthy said. "We just kept chipping away, and I think that is a test to the type of team we have in that we keep fighting until the end."

Bottom Line: After starting the season 4-0, Mepham has dropped three of its last four games -- two of those losses were at home.

On an opposite note, after losing its second game of the season to Syosset, East Meadow has now won their last five games.

Key Stat: Combined with 13 hits given up by Mepham, they also surrendered 12 walks (four intentional) to assist in East Meadow scoring in all seven innings.

Who’s Next: Mepham vs. Syosset, April 13, 4:15 p.m.; East Meadow vs. Massapequa, April 13, 4:15 p.m.

Box Score:  

WP- A.Carlin

LP- V.Gunnels

HR- D.Cutuli (EM)