Rays Mount Comeback, Top Merrick Patch Orioles

Lilly McGuire hit a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Rays topped the Merrick Patch Orioles, 13-9 on Monday night.

McGuire's single came with two outs in the inning, and the bases full of Rays. The Patch-sponsored Orioles, a Merrick Little League minors softball team, had difficulty recording the third out of the fifth inning, as the Rays batted around and put up a seven spot to claim the lead for good.

Andie Ofsink hit a two RBI single in the same inning to cap the Rays' rally, and solidify a four run lead going into the last inning.

Rays pitcher Jackie Mascaro made sure the Orioles offense would not mount a comeback of its own, as she did not allow an Orioles player to reach second base in her two innings of work. Mascaro retired the Orioles in order in the top of the fifth inning, and got some help from her defense in closing out the ball game in the sixth.

With Tara Hagerman on first base and no one out for the Orioles in the top of the sixth inning, Isabella Farino hit a ball to McGuire who was playing first base. McGuire made sure to secure the ball while it was in the air and step on first base to record the double play. Mascaro got a ground ball two batters later to get the third out of the inning, and end the game in the process.

"We like winning," Rays coach Paul McGuire said. "We haven't had too many of them this year; it was a good game."

Both starting pitchers came out throwing strikes on Monday night. Abby Koch struck out six Orioles in her two innings of work for the Rays. Isabella Farino pitched three solid innings for the Orioles, recording two strikeouts in that span.  Farino's defense made several dazzling plays behind her, including a Heather Berberich great catch in left field for the second consecutive game.

Lexy Dietrich saved at least one run in the bottom of the third inning for the Orioles by fielding a sharp ground ball off the bat of Angie Fasano. It was heads up fielding by Dietrich who quickly got the force out at second base for the third out of the inning.

Gabby Farino hit the ball hard each time in her four times at the plate; including a massive double in the top of the second to give the Orioles a three-run lead at the time. Gabby Farino also pitched an inning and two-thirds, recording four of the five outs by strikeout. 

Orioles manager Bob Hagerman told Farino to, "Focus, have fun, throw hard," while she was on the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Hagerman came in to record the final out for the Orioles, but before the third out of the bottom of the fifth inning was recorded, the damage had already been done by the Rays' bats. Hagerman reached base four times in her four plate appearances, including a pair of singles and a pair of walks.

The Orioles and Rays will square off again today at 6 p.m. at Camp Avenue School.

Hagerman told his team after the tough loss, "We get another shot at this team on Wednesday."

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