Defense, Pitching Lead Generals to County Finals

Bob Fehrenbach stresses doing all the little things right with his players, and that was the difference in the Generals' 2-1 win in game three against Mepham Friday to advance to the Nassau County AA Championship.

Catcher Kristin Daly made two huge defensive plays in particular. With the Generals up 2-1 in the top of the sixth, Nicole Moccio singled to get the tying run aboard. After advancing to second on a sacrifice, Ashley Mossoni threw a wild pitch, but Daly reacted quickly and gunned a strike to third from her knees to nab the advancing base runner.

"She acted quickly," Fehrenbach said. "She always has the green light to make those throws."

Mepham had another chance to add an equalizer, as Nicole Aliberti singled to lead off the visiting seventh. Like deja vu, another wild pitch had the runner on the move, but Daly once again was up to the task.

"The first one was amazing, but I can't even describe the second one with words," Daly said. "It was unbelievable."

Mepham still was able to get runners on second and third with two out, but Massoni struck out Moccio to end the ballgame. 

Massoni threw a complete game, allowing one run on eight hits in seven frames. She walked two and struck out two as well.

"It feels great," Massoni said. "I wasn't worried at all, because I have the best team behind me."

Mepham had the lead early on when Mary Galgano singled in the second. A wild pitch allowed her to advance a base, and then Aliberti drove her in with a base hit.

MacArthur answered in the third off of ToniMarie Valeriano, as Kristin Kelley and Jena Cozza singled and doubled, respectively. Katie Fitzsimmons walked, and Daly did as well to drive in a run. Nicolette Moustouka hit into a fielder's choice to add a second run, but the offense stalled after that.

"We have to hit," Fehrenbach said. "But we'll work on that. I'm proud of the way we played,"

For Mepham, Valeriano allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings. She struck out six and walked three. She said she's proud of the way Mepham played this season.

"We had a great year," she said. "We have nothing to be ashamed of. There's plenty to look forward to in the future."

Next for MacArthur is the Class AA Nassau County Finals, in which the best-of-three set against East Meadow begins Monday at 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Athletic Complex. Games two and three (if necessary) will be played on Tuesday and Thursday at the same time.

What did you think of the MacArthur/Mepham series? Tell us in the comments section below.