NCLL Softball Yankees Top Dodgers, Move Onto Majors Championships

The Dodgers fell to the Yankees in a hard-fought semi-final game for the final spot in the NCLL Softball Majors finals.

Though the Dodgers took an early lead, the Yankees fought back to tie it up and eventually win it in the bottom of the sixth with a dramatic sliding play at home plate.  Though the Yankees won it, each team came out and competed well.  Solid offense, fielding, and pitching on both sides throughout the game led to the Yankee's excitingly close victory at the end.  Each player should be proud of their teams and their excellent performances that created such a memorable game.

The Dodgers got on the board early in the first.  With a runner on second and one out, #17 Melanie Lerche got an RBI double on an overthrow.  This was to remain the only run scored until the top of the fourth.  This scoreless period was due to the excellent performance of the pitchers on both sides, whose efforts were aided by the solid fielding of their teammates.

The Dodgers started off the fourth with a single to third by #1 Sara Semel.  The Yankees popped-up the two and three batters to get them out, though Semel was able to advance to second on the first fly ball.  It was then #22 Julie Burgill's at-bat, which she made full use of with an RBI grounder that slipped past the second baseman.  Yankees pitcher Sarah Brauer then walked the next four batters to load the bases and bring home two more runs.  With the difficulty that she was having, they brought in Reese Guevarra to relieve her.  Guevarra struck out the next batter to get them out of trouble and close the inning.

Though their opponent's score was mounting, the Yankees never gave up as they rallied in the bottom of the fourth with hit after hit, followed by aggressive base running.  No. 9 Sophia Giglio started off the inning with a double on an overthrow to first.  Dodgers pitcher Sara Semel then buckled down to strike out the next batter.  Unfortunately, she hesitated on the next play on a hit to her by Guevarra, which resulted in both runners being safe at third and first. 

No. 3 Sarah Brauer then continued the effort to put the Yankees on the board off her single to the short-stop.  Fortunately for the Yankees, the short-stop bobbled the ball and then overthrew in an attempt to save the play.  This allowed the Yankees to get on the board with two runs.  Finally, it was Hailey Majansky who cleared the bases with a deep hit to center field and near inside the park home run.  She rounded third as she was waved on, which forced the Dodgers to make a tough play at the plate.  Fortunately for the Dodgers, they handled the play excellently, which closed the inning, 4-4.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth, as both pitchers put up a solid performance.  Finally, it was Alex Numeroff with two on and two outs who hit a shot down the third baseline and sent in the tying run for a spectacular sliding finish at the plate to just beat the throw.

The game closed 5-4 with much cheering and celebrating from the Yankees.  In summing up the win, Coach Salmon had this to say: "The reason why the kids won today is because they played with their hearts and worked together as a team."

 The Dodgers put up an excellent fight, though they could not defeat the top ranked Yankees.  As the Yankees continue on to play in the finals, both teams can look back with pride on a great season with many fond memories.

The NCLL Softball Majors finals kick off today at 10:45 a.m. at Strawtown Field in New City, as the Yankees and the White Sox face off to win it all and be crowned the 2010 NCLL Softball Majors champions.