Can't Reach Home: Lady Colts Strand Too Many in Loss to Hicksville

The stat sheets were pretty full after the Lady Colts game against Hicksville last Friday.  Unfortunately, it wasn't in the category they would have liked.

Calhoun left ten runners on base, at least one in every inning, in a 7-5 loss to the Comets.  It was their second straight defeat to start the season.

After their game against North Shore was rained out earlier in the week, the Lady Colts took the field at Calhoun High in winter-like temperatures.  Players on both sides used coats and blankets to stay warm on the bench.

Calhoun shook off the frost early, with some help from the Comets chilly defense.  With the bases loaded in the first, Calhoun's Gianna Saladino hit a routine grounder to second.  Hicksville's Allison McNamara threw it away, though, allowing two runs to score.

Two runners would be left stranded, however, setting off a recurring theme on the afternoon.

"We had a couple of strikeouts looking, we have to take advantage of the strikes," Colts outfielder Rebecca Suss said.  "We have to get used to the umpire's strike zone, it depends on the umpire, so I think we have to adjust more."

Hicksville made Calhoun pay for their missed opportunities in the third.  Danielle Delligatti hit a two-run HR to cap off a three run inning, putting the Comets up 4-2.

It was a frustrating inning for Colts starter Jessica Livingston, who was one pitch away from getting out of the inning with the lead.  Livingston pitched a complete game, striking out 10 in taking the loss.

"It's cold for everybody, but pitchers especially, with that motion," Calhoun coach Jason Boland said.  "For her to hit 10 Ks is very impressive; I'm just sad for her that the [run] support wasn't there that she needed."

Calhoun would come back to tie the game at 4 on a Marisa Marcigliano RBI single in the fourth, but Hicksville answered with three runs in the fifth.

The Colts scored on a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, but the LOBs piled up as Marcigliano looked at strike three from Hicksville reliever Kerri Hauff.  Hauff had just entered the game for starter and eventual winner Ashley Longo.

The frustration mounted in the final innings as Suss' long drive to center was caught, leaving a runner stranded at third in the sixth inning.  Calhoun brought the tying run to the plate twice in the seventh, but the game ended with consecutive pop ups.

"Leaving all those 'ducks' out on the bases kind of hurts," Boland said.  "I really wish we had taken advantage of those, but that hopefully will come with growing up."

The Lady Colts will need to grow up fast, as a battle with Kennedy, and hopefully, sunny skies looms ahead Wednesday. First pitch is at 10 a.m. at Kennedy High.

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