Marlins Offense Outlasts Merrick Patch Orioles' in Hard Fought Game

Katie Goodman drove in two runners with an RBI double in the top on the fifth inning to help the Marlins edge out the Merrick Patch Orioles Saturday afternoon, 15-12.

The Patch-sponsored Orioles, a Merrick Little League softball team, are still in pursuit of their first victory of the season.  The Orioles gave the Marlins all they could handle in a nail-biter at Birch School, as the girls in orange managed a five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game up at 11-11.

The momentum appeared to be on the Orioles side, as the two teams headed into the fifth inning all knotted up, but the Marlins offense was not ready to go quietly, and put up a four-spot in the top of the fifth.

The bottom of the Marlins order proved to play a crucial part in the outcome of the game. Ellie Beichert, Lexi Larson, Kayla Braccio and Jenna Rosen scored the Marlins' last four runs and each amounted two walks in the victory.

Nicollette Vanella was on the mound for the Marlins at the start of the game. She had two doubles on the afternoon, including a shot into right field in the top of the fourth.

"They played awesome," Marlins manager Michele Condello said of her team. "I'm always amazed by them."

The Orioles never quit at any point in the game, with the Orioles' bench growing louder with each passing inning.  "Anything's possible" was heard from the bench several times in the later parts of the game. Gabby Farino rallied her teammates together in the middle of the fifth inning to create a spark in the dugout.

During the Orioles' rally in the bottom of the fourth Farino said, "I want to know how it feels to win a game." But Farino did her talking in the field as well.  She had four hits, including the furthest shot of the day with a first inning blast to left field, allowing Farino to take third with a triple.

The biggest ovation of the afternoon came when Orioles left fielder Heather Berberich snared a bullet off the bat of Lindsey Sheridan to record the final out of the inning. Berberich was greeted with high-fives from teammates, coaches and Sheridan herself.

Bob Hargerman, the manager of the Orioles, knows the importance of a solid defense. Hagerman told his team early and often on Saturday, "Everyone has to think the ball is coming to them."

Orioles starting pitcher Alex Molinari amassed four strikeouts in her two innings of work. Molinari was also responsible for three hits, three RBIs and three runs on the day. Tara Hagerman added four hits, including a lead-off single in the bottom of the first.

For the second straight game, the Orioles were on the verge of taking home their first victory of the season, but came up a little bit short. Despite the loss, the Orioles skipper knows his team played well.

"We were right there until the end," Hagerman said. "Their bats came alive at the end, and we fell short."    

The Orioles are back on the field today as they battle the Rays at 6 p.m. at Birch. 

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