Merrick Williamsport Softball Edged by East Meadow

The Merrick Little League Williamsport softball team is in the middle of a tremendous run.

The 12-year-old team, known as the Merrick Madness, defeated Seaford on Sunday to become district champions and earned the right to compete for the Long Island championship.

The girls began that quest Wednesday evening against East Meadow at the East Meadow Little League Field, and despite a great pitching performance by Sydney Yormack, Merrick ultimately fell, 2-1.

The team will play two more games before they enter the official tournament to determine the Long Island champion.

"It was a really close game," Merrick coach Maria Imhof said. "It was a strong defensive game and we were just one big hit away. But it was a well played game by both teams."

Yormack pitched six innings and only allowed two runs, but was outdueled on the day by East Meadow's Amanda Riveira, who also pitched a complete game and allowed just a single run.

East Meadow got on the board first in the top of the second. After Ashley Halkitis reached base with a single, she would steal second and advance to third on a ground out. The next batter, Nicole Gogh, hit a ground ball to first base that scored Halkitis to make it 1-0.

"We're really happy that we won," Halkitis said. "Merrick put up a great fight."

The score stayed that way until the fourth. East Meadow threatened again and had the bases loaded after singles by Lauren Williams and Riveira, and a walk by Gosh. However, Yormack got Alison Clark to ground out to end the threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, Merrick's Samantha Klein reached base with a single, and she came around to score on a pop fly off the bat of Joanna Marma that was misplayed by the left fielder. The two teams were even at one run apiece.

East Meadow responded right back. They loaded the bases with no outs after walks by Crista San Antonio and Santacruz, and a single by Ashley Smith.

Ashley Vecchione then hit a popup that was dropped by the shortstop. The infield fly rule was called by the umpire, but each runner advanced a base on the play, and that put East Meadow ahead, 2-1.

It looked like East Meadow would add to their lead when Williams drove a line drive to center field, but Cora Travaglione made a sensational over the shoulder catch to end the inning and keep the deficit at one.

Merrick had one final opportunity in the sixth. After a walk by Klein, Meredith Jones reached base on an error by the second basemen. Missy Mavrogian followed with a walk, loading the bases with one out.

Riveira was able to retire the next two batters, though, to seal the win for East Meadow.

"It was a great game," East Meadow coach Ken Vecchione said. "Good pitching, good defense and we were able to pull out the victory."

Merrick will look to get back to its winning ways when the Madness plays again Thursday night in Dix Hills against Albertson/Herricks.