New City 11-12s Fall to Pearl River in Game 1 of District Softball Championships

New City's 11-12 softball All Stars faced their first challenge of the season Sunday night, falling to Pearl River in the first game of a best of three series for the district championship.

The exceptionally talented All Stars met the first opponent that gave them any trouble this season, as the top two teams in the district faced off in a largely defensive game.  #12 Briana Keaveney pitched another great game, letting up only two runs in six innings pitched.  Though for most other pitchers, this would be an exceptional performance, when watching Keaveney, it's surprising to see her let anyone on base. 

Despite New City's excellent record, Pearl River played better defense than them to keep New City to only one run. Excellent fielding from Pearl River allowed their pitcher to keep New City at bay with three one-two-three innings.  Keaveney finished the game with one three up and three down inning.  Though her team made some great plays to back her up, a few errors and Pearl River's excellent lineup kept her from picking up another no hitter.

Pearl River started off the game by scoring one early in the first.  Excellent pitching and fielding on both sides then prevailed, as nine went up and nine went down to rocket through the bottom of the first, top of the second, and bottom of the second.  After a spectacular catch by #7 Danielle Borelli at first to get the first out of the third, Pearl River tacked on another run.

The game then went scoreless again until the bottom of the fourth, when #32 Sara Herskowitz got on base to start the inning with a single.  Borelli was out on a line drive, however #10 Carly Amatuzzo fired a grounder to second, which slipped through to roll deep into the outfield to hand Amatuzzo an RBI double.

Though New City's excellent defense kept Pearl River from scoring any more, they could not bring home another runner,  Despite the fact that they connected for hits that would have dropped against any other team in the division, the players from Pearl River almost always seemed to be there to make the play and get the out.

Both teams played exceptional softball worthy of championship teams.  "We played a good game," said Manager Amatuzzo, "we just need to put a few more balls in play."  Coach Borelli agreed with him, saying "we played a good game, they played great defense."  With the skill and determination on both sides, their next game is sure to be a thrilling one.

#3 Sarah Brauer will pitch for New City when they play Pearl River tonight in game two of the district championships at Strawtown field at 7:30pm.