Run Ruled: Lady Cougars Bats Combined with Calia's Arm Lead to Easy Win

In softball, when a pitcher does not have her command early on, it's important to take advantage of that. That's exactly what the Lady Cougars did on Friday night, as they combined patience and timely hits together en route to a 14-1 run-ruled victory against host Great Neck South.

The Cougars (6-2) took advantage of early mistakes, and their five-run first inning had them off to the races, and they never looked back. Carly Thea walked to lead off, and then after she stole second base, Sarah Siegler singled as well. The two then executed a double steal to give the Cougars their first run.

Two more walks loaded the bases, and then a Brittany Venezia sac fly provided the second run, and Gabbi Calia smacked a two-run single for the third and fourth. Jamie Demmett capped the scoring in the first with a sac fly, and it was all Calia on the mount from there.

"It was definitely a good game for us," Calia said. "We worked hard and as a team, and that's what is most important."

Calia was dominant in her complete game one-hitter. Despite allowing a solo homer to Great Neck's Courtney Taylor, Calia was incredible. She faced just two over the minimum in her six-inning performance, and she struck out eight batters on the night.

"That pitcher was great," Great Neck South coach Erik Connolly said. "She was throwing strikes, and she had great stuff. We need to give her credit."

Kennedy continued to pile runs on in the third, and the base runners took advantage of another Rebels (6-2) miscue. With one out and runners on second and third, Demmett hit a tailor made double play grounder, but the Great Neck second baseman missed her target, and the ball sailed into left center field. Two runs scored on the play, and Kennedy was up 7-0.

"It's important to take care of the little things," Kennedy coach Katie Speiss said. "The little things add up to the big things, and that's why they are so important."

Kennedy would add three more runs in the fifth on a three-run homer by Sam Finkel, and after a Thea RBI single in the sixth, Kennedy capped off their scoring by having Finkel hit a three-run triple, and she was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"It was way overdue," Finkel said. "I finally connected, and that definitely feels good."

Coach Speiss was impressed with the way her team played.

"We hit the ball hard," Speiss said. "We were able to execute in every way today, and it's a good game to build on."

Another offensive star for Kennedy was Steph Bauman, who doubled and scored three runs in the effort.

"I felt more relaxed," Bauman said. "I just tried to stay back and hit the ball."

The Cougar faithful also showed up in force on Friday despite the chilly weather.   More fans showed up in support of Kennedy at the road game than people for Great Neck, and they were cheering the girls on all game long.

"We don't miss a game," one woman said. "The girls need our support."

The Cougars return to action tomorrow when they host Freeport at 4:30 p.m.