Morrissey Tears Open with Two Homers in Big Red Victory

Glen Cove softball continued its torrid start Friday afternoon as it cruised to a 12-1 win against Manhasset at home.

Big Red got a gigantic lift from freshman Kayla Morrissey. The center fielder jumped out on Manhasset pitcher Kristen Leung early as she tore a three-run home run that scored Nicole Alexander and Hailey Langone.

"I haven't been hitting so far this season," Morrissey said. "I just wanted to get a hit."

Morrissey fanned in her second at-bat against Leung, but got the last laugh as she belted another three-run slam to center field. With no fence, Morrissey sped around the bases and slid just under the tag by Manhasset's catcher.

"It feels good to be a big part of the team as a freshman," Morrissey said after the game.

After spending a year on junior varsity as an eighth grader, coach Valerie Amilicia is glad to have Morrissey on varsity full-time this season.

"We got a glimpse of her, and we knew right away that she would excel this year," Amilicia said.

Big Red has won big consecutively, as they beat up on Garden City Thursday 14-2. Glen Cove improved to 4-1 with Friday's win, while Manhasset dropped to 2-4.

The strong start has Amilicia, a first-year skipper, excited as she sees the confidence spreading throughout her team.

"I can just tell the difference this year in the girls – the morale, the confidence," she said.

While Morrissey paced Big Red offensively, Glen Cove received a complete game stellar performance by junior pitcher Kim Marte.

"Kim just brings experience on the mound. She is a smart pitcher overall," Marte said.

Marte didn't allow a run after the first, fanned five, walked three and allowed just three hits in seven innings of work in the circle.

"She saw some of the girls hitting her, so she changed it up a bit and threw some different pitches," Amilicia said.

Marte aided her own cause at the plate as well. The senior went 3-for-4, with a two-run home run – her third of the season – and three runs scored.