It took four games into the 2023 season before a team was able to take a lead—or even score a run—against the Rye Neck softball team. But when Tuckahoe did just that on Tuesday afternoon, it didn’t rattle the Panthers one bit.
After an Adriana Rocco brought home the first run surrendered by the Panthers this season, Rye Neck wasted little time responding, plating a pair of runners in the second half of the frame to come away with a 2-1 win over the Tigers.
One of the reasons the Panthers have been so tough to score on this year has been the dominance of Panther ace Katie Blanch, but Blanch nearly met her match on Tuesday when she faced off against eighth grade southpaw Katie Attwood who was every bit as impressive as the senior standout. Blanch and Attwood combined for 29 strikeouts on the day, with Blanch surrendering just one hit and Attwood giving up three.
Two of those hits, however, came in a sixth inning that saw the Panthers climb on top for good.
“Their pitcher was very good today, but I think the second, third time we saw her, we were a little more comfortable,” said Rye Neck head coach Joan Spedafino.
Rye Neck tied the game on a hit by Clare Picone, and Blanch would come around to score the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Arianna Hammer.
Last year, the Panthers did not trail at any point during the year until the Section 1 finals where they squared off against Albertus Magnus. Just like the did in that game, the Rye Neck came through on Tuesday.
“I think having that happen in the section finals last year, the returning girls learned from that and are more comfortable being in that position,” said Spedafino. “Even going down, we kept our composure and that’s a big part of the game, so I’m very proud of them today.”
With the win, the Panthers improve to 4-0 on the year, having outscored their opponents 39-1. Tuckahoe (1-2), has dropped their last two contests against top-level teams but will look to get back on track on April 13 when they take on Briarcliff.
For the Panthers, Spedafino is looking forward to this next stretch that will see them play four games in the span of six days.
“Early in the season, everything’s kind of spread out and it’s tough for the girls, who hadn’t played since last Tuesday,” said Spedafino. “So we’re still looking to figure a few things out, get a little more consistency, but they’re working hard and they’re a great bunch of girls.”
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