Tzanetos Comes Up Big in the Clutch as Angels Edge Out the Merrick Patch Orioles

Nicole Tzanetos hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning Saturday afternoon to lead the Angels past the Merrick Patch Orioles, 3-2. 

The Orioles, a Patch-sponsored Merrick Little League softball team, are still looking for their first win of the season, but they gave the Angels, who came into the game with a 6-1 record, plenty of fight. 

"That was the best game you guys have played this year," Orioles coach Bob Hagerman told his team after the game.  "Everyone did a great job today."

The Orioles struck first as Alex Brandl hit an RBI single in the opening inning to drive in Leah Kauderer all the way from first base.

Orioles starting pitcher Alex Molinari also got off to a strong start, not allowing a hit in the first inning of the game played at Old Mill Road School.

The Angels got on the board in the second, though.  A couple of walks combined with a Danielle Urban single put the bat in the hands of Mackenzie Strobing, who delivered an RBI single to knot the score at 1-1.   Molinari struck out the next two batters to escape further damage. 

Angles pitcher Jessie Estrin got two quick outs in the third inning before the Orioles tacked on another run.  Kauderer smacked an RBI double to score Tara Hagerman, who had drawn a walk. 

Brandl took over pitching duties for the Orioles in the fourth inning and she struck out three in the frame to preserve the 2-1 lead.  In the fifth, Brandl got into a jam, walking in a run to tie the game once again.  But with the bases loaded and only one out, Brandl fanned two in a row to keep the Orioles in the game. 

The big problem for the Orioles, though, turned out to be the superb play of Tzanetos.  She took the mound in the fourth inning and she did not allow a single Orioles batter to reach base the rest of the way. 

And when it came to delivering a game-winning hit, Tzanetos was also ready to play the part.  Jennifer Solomon led off the sixth inning for the Angels with a single.  Eventually, Solomon was planted on third base with two outs. 

Tzanetos battled Orioles pitcher Kauderer, but the slugger eventually slapped the ball toward second base and just barely beat out the throw to first to send Solomon home and give the Angels the hard fought 3-2 victory. 

"I couldn't be more proud of my daughter," Angels coach and proud parent John Tzanetos said after the game. 

For the Orioles, who remain on a quest for their first win of the year, it was another game that just got away.  But their coach knew that his team was right there with one of the top teams in the league.

"No one made mistakes," Hagerman said.  "They just beat us."