Finkel Flirts With No-Hitter As Lady Cougars Romp Herricks, 10-0

The Lady Cougars (11-2; 11-3) knew that yesterday's game against Herricks was a must win, and Sam Finkel and company were prepared to do whatever it took to ensure victory.

Kennedy took advantage of a couple of Herricks' (8-5; 8-5) miscues and struck with a huge nine-run third inning, and Finkel went into cruise control as Kennedy won at home by the score of 10-1.

"I pitched pretty well today," Finkel said. "I was in control and I really needed my team behind me."

Finkel was on point throughout the game for Kennedy. Not only was she hitting her spots, but she was keeping the hitters off balance all game. She allowed just three base runners in her complete game shutout, and she also had a nice day by going 2-for-4 with a two run triple at the plate.

"She pitched a very nice game," Herricks coach Diane Pasatieri said.  "It was impressive to watch."

Kennedy stranded a runner in scoring position in each of the first two innings, and they were finally able to break through in the third.  After the Cougars got their first two runners on base, Sarah Siegler dropped down a nice sacrifice bunt. Then, Heather Hulkower hit a grounder, and Kennedy coach Katie Speiss sent the runner.

Herricks opted to throw home, and the play wasn't really close. Steph Bauman followed with a grounder of her own, and like déjà vu, Herricks threw to the plate again. This time, Carly Thea was safe, and the Cougars would add seven more in the frame, and Speiss was proud of how her team took advantage.

"We needed to win this game," Speiss said.  "We were heads up on our base running and that was certainly key today. We also hit the ball very well, and we didn't make mistakes. That's important."

One player who certainly played the role of catalyst for the Cougars was Thea, who reached base four times on the day. Thea's big hit was an RBI triple with two outs in the nine-run third, and she knows that it's important that she does what's necessary.

"When there are players on base, my job is to move them," Thea said. "The key is to work together and keep the cycle going."

Finkel took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but Jessica Thomas led off the top of the seventh with a double over Thea's head in center field to break up the bid.

"I am so angry about that," Thea said. "But, you know, things happen. The ball was hit well, and I think we did a good job to keep the runner at second base."

The only other two runners to reach against Finkel were Nicole Iuculano, who reached on a Finkel error in the first, and Herricks pitcher Justine Lopez, who walked with one out in the third. At one point, Finkel retired 11 straight batters.

"Finkel pitched amazing today," Speiss said. "It was a game we needed to win, and I am proud of the way she did, and I am proud of the rest of the girls also."

Another Cougar who had a nice game was Janie Demmett, who started the nine-run third with a hit by a pitch. She would also add a two-run single later in the inning, and she also singled and scored in the fifth, and she has a rather unique way of getting in the zone while at the plate.

"I sing Justin Bieber songs to myself," Demmett said. "It helps keep me focused." Just in case you are wondering, "Baby" is the song which is usually playing on her mental radio.

Kennedy now is preparing for a face-to-face confrontation with Calhoun on Monday at JFK, and then it's off to a showdown against first place Hicksville on Tuesday.  The players know that they need to make sure that they focus on the Lady Colts first.

"You can't look past Calhoun," Thea said. "You need to look at every game like it's the most important game of the season. That's why I am proud of our team. Everyone keeps their head in the game and does what they need to do."