Sports
Rasulo Pitches Red Sox to Softball Championship
Kelly Rasulo strikes out 14 batters as the Red Sox defeat the Dodgers, 5-2, to take Merrick Little League softball title.
Kelly Rasulo pitched a complete game gem for the Red Sox in the softball majors Merrick Little League World Series, as the Sox defeated the Dodgers, 5-2, on Friday evening at Merrick Road Park.
Rasulo let up a run in the first and third innings, but stymied the Dodgers' bats for the final three, striking out 14 batters in the game. She had at least two strikeouts in every inning, including striking out the side in the first and fifth.
The Dodgers were able to get runners on base in five of the six innings, but Rasulo saw to it personally that no more than two runs were surrendered.
Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"We played fantastic, Kelly pitched a great game," Red Sox Manager Howie Segal said. "She (Rasulo) had poise out there, and she just kept throwing strikes; she pitched an outstanding game."
Meredith Jones started the game on the mound for the Dodgers and pitched well in her three innings of work. Jones struck out five Red Sox batters, and recorded three outs while on the mound.
Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
One of those outs came off the bat of Lauren Segal who hit a sharp ground ball up the middle, Jones managed to snare the ball to her left and throw to first base for the third out of the inning.
Cora Travaglione started the Dodgers' offense off with a single in the bottom of the first inning. Kacie Badolato followed with her first of two walks on the evening, and Caitlin Outllette drove in Travaglione for the Dodgers' first run of the game with a fielder's choice groundball.
Joleen Roberti came into pitch for the Dodgers in the fourth inning, and after running into a bit of trouble, she got the final out of the inning while only surrendering one run. Dodgers' Manager Garry Oullette made a visit to the mound with two outs in the inning and with the bases full of Red Sox, before Roberti recorded the third out.
In that fourth inning, Brooke Tuozzo belted a triple to right-center field, scoring Katie Healy who had drawn her second walk of the game to lead off the inning.
Rasulo continued to roll, as her pitches appeared to be getting harder to hit as the game went on. She did run into some trouble in the top of the fifth inning when Melissa Himelfarb hit a one out single, and Sydney Wolfson followed with a walk. Rasulo buckled down and struck out the next two batters, preserving the Red Sox lead in the process.
The Red Sox added one more run in the bottom of the fifth when Rasulo started the inning with a single, and the next batter, Nicole Imhof hit an RBI double.
Rasulo and the Red Sox had a three run lead going into the sixth and final inning, which proved to be more than enough for the Red Sox pitcher. Badolato drew a one out walk for the Dodgers, but would not pass second base, as Rasulo got the final two batters out by strikeout and groundout, respectively.
"It has been a great season," Oullette said. "We were in it (the game) till the end; Kelly (Rasulo) pitched great for the Red Sox."
Both managers presented each of their players with a trophy after the game. Segal and the Red Sox were awarded the championship trophy at the conclusion of the ceremony in front of family and friends.
"You work hard the whole season, you practice, and you play out the regular season, and then comes the playoffs," Segal said, "you work hard, some bounces gotta go your way, and we play as a team and win as a team."
