Lady Colts Can't Buy a Hit Against Valley Stream Central

The Lady Colts drew nine walks yesterday against Valley Stream Central pitcher Dee Ramkarran.

Too bad they didn't have the option to slide a few of them to the 'hit' column.

Despite control problems, Ramkarran tossed a no-hitter, defeating host Calhoun 6-1 in league play, keeping the Lady Colts winless in the young season.

Ramkarran got her team off to a flying start before throwing her first pitch.  Her solo home run in the top of the first gave the Eagles the early 1-0 advantage.

Perhaps winded by her trip around the bases, Ramkarran had trouble finding the strike zone upon taking the mound.  She walked four of the first six batters she faced, with third baseman Gianna Saladino drawing a bases loaded pass to tie the game at 1.

There would be nothing else for Calhoun.  No runs, no hits.  What happened?

"I don't think she was tough, I just think we didn't play like a team," Saladino said.  "So when we got up to bat, it was difficult."

A bit more praise for Ramkarran came from the bench, on both sides.

"She's keeping the ball low and mixing her pitches," Central coach Artie Riccio said.  "She's throwing drop pitches, curveballs, just doing a great job."

"She had good stuff today and had a quick release which was throwing our timing off a little bit," Colts coach Jason Boland said.  "We have gone against pitchers who throw faster, but she had such good command of the strike zone that it was hard for us to get on base."

When the Lady Colts did reach, they weren't able to do much, Boland said.

"[Central catcher Corin Protasiewicz] has a good arm, that prevented us from stealing, and we also had a couple strikeouts looking in clutch situations," he said.

Calhoun pitcher Jessica Livingston didn't throw a no-hitter, but did her best to keep her team in the game.  After the early HR, Livingston held Central scoreless till the fifth, but then things began to unravel.  The Eagles tagged her for five runs and four hits in the next two frames.

"I was disappointed by the defense behind her...give a team like Central an extra out, and they're going to come back to bite you," Boland said.

At least the memories of being no-hit won't have to linger long.  The Colts get right back at it today when they visit Herricks for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.  

"Shake it off, come back with a little more energy, and a little more communication  in the field," Boland told his club after the game.

And a hit or two would be nice as well.

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