Freshman Pitcher Saladino Shows Mettle, but Lady Colts Fall to Herricks

At least Calhoun knows for sure that they have a pitcher for the future.

Starting her first game of the season yesterday, freshman Gianna Saladino held a tough Herricks team to just three runs over six innings. Two of the three runs came in the first inning, and Saladino settled down from there to hold Highlanders hitters at bay.

Unfortunately, Lady Colts hitters had trouble of their own against opposing pitcher Justine Lopez and were unable to plate a single run as they fell to host Herricks, 3-0.

"It was a really close game," Calhoun coach Jason Boland said. "Gianna did a great job considering it was her first varsity start as a freshman. So I was very impressed with her poise today."

Lopez pitched a terrific game, allowing no runs over seven innings and only one time did she even allow a runner to get past second base.

The Colts (5-11) posed their biggest scoring threat in their first turn at bat. After catcher Marissa Marcigliano hit a two-out single, Rebecca Suss followed with a single of her own to advance Marcigliano to second. The next batter Cassie Beccaris hit an infield single to load the bases for Ashley Lowerre.

Lowerre hit a sharp ground ball that was fielded cleanly by Herricks third baseman Jessica Carlisi. Carlisi stepped on third for the force out to end the threat.

Herricks (11-5) plated two runs in their first at bat. After singles by Nicole Iuculano and Meghan Chamoff, Jessica Thomas hit a double to score one run. The next run scored on an RBI groundout by Lopez.

"I was very pleased with how well our girls played today," Lopez said. "I'm excited that I pitched a shutout game. I really enjoyed it and I kept everybody up and made sure everyone was running in and off the field."

It was a rough first inning for Saladino, who was clearly feeling the jitters in her first ever start. However, after that she became locked in on the mound and held Herricks to one run over the next five innings.

"I felt good out there today," Saladino said. "I was ready. I think the team played pretty well. The first few innings were a little rocky but then our defense got much better. There's still tomorrow's game so hopefully we can win."

The third Highlanders run came on an RBI single by Lopez, her second RBI of the game.

The Colts would not go down quietly in their final at bat. After Lowerre led off the inning with a groundout, Jenna Fennelly singled to right field and Lauren Lucke followed with a walk to put the tying run at the plate. However, both Tara Bugden and Danielle Losee struck out, and that ended the game.

"We came out here to play a team that had double digits wins, and she held them to three runs which is more than I could have asked for," Boland said of Saladino. "Our bats just didn't back her up today."

It was senior day for Herricks, and they honored their senior players before and after the game. Coach Diane Pastiere could not have been more proud of her players, and particularly her seniors.

"We really came out and played well today," she said. "We graduate six seniors, and they were all in the game today. Now we're at the end and we're 11-5.  We've had a very great season."

Calhoun ends its season today with a showdown against the Kennedy Cougars, who will be looking to rebound from a 12-0 non-league loss to MacArthur yesterday.  First pitch is at 4:30 p.m. at Kennedy High.