Unlucky 7: Calhoun Softball Falls In Final Inning To Eagles

The Lady Colts got the pitching and a big clutch hit, but it didn't add up to a win yesterday at Calhoun High School.

After tying the game in the sixth, Calhoun was undone by shaky defense in the seventh, giving up two runs, as the lead and the game slipped away, 4-2, to Valley Stream Central. 

"It's hard to lose a game when you come back and tie it," Calhoun coach Jason Boland said.  "At least you can take away from it that we did come back."

The Colts (5-9) can also take away the fact that they even managed a hit, something they did not do the last time out against Central pitcher Dee Ramkarran.  Ramkarran was not quite as sharp this time from the outset.

After the start of the game was delayed by a passing thunderstorm, the Colts had three infield hits in the opening inning, but could not plate a run.  Central (9-5) had no such trouble in the second.  Two infield hits equaled two runs, giving the Eagles the early lead.

Ramkarran, and Calhoun starter Rebecca Suss then matched zeros the next few innings, with Ramkarran seldom letting the ball out of the infield, and Suss working out of a couple of jams.

In the sixth, the Colts woke up.  Gianna Saladino stroked a one-out single, and Marisa Marcigliano legged out an infield hit.  Suss then hit a shot to left, where Central left fielder Jen Murray made an underhand catch, leaving it up to Cassie Beccaris to drive the runs home.

That she did.  Beccaris laced a two-strike pitch to left for a double, scoring both runners, and notching the game at two.

"For a freshman to be up in a tough situation is hard...it was a good day for her at the plate," Boland said of Beccaris.

The celebration on the Calhoun bench was short lived.  Melanie Ruderman led off with a hard hit single that got past Calhoun shortstop Ashley Lowerre, and Corinne Protasiewicz followed with a double that also got through, giving Central the lead right back.

Later, with the bases loaded, Saladino tried to force the runner at home, but her throw was off target, and the Eagles led by two.  Ramkarran retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame, and it was game over for Calhoun.

"[Ramkarran's] got great control and is really hard to hit against," Boland said.

Suss was solid in the loss, going the distance while striking out four.  She may have to get used to the mound, as normal starter Jessica Livingston continues to rehab her injured thigh, putting her status for the rest of the season in doubt.

"[Jessica's] a junior, we have her for one more season, and she will probably play an outdoor travel league over the summer," Boland said of his injured ace.  "She's a little disappointed she can't finish off the season here."

The Lady Colts won't have much time to rest, with three games in as many days coming up, starting today at home with a 4:45 contest against Herricks.

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