Sports
One and Done: Schreiber Softball Falls to Herricks
Herricks pitcher Justine Lopez throws one-hitter, drives in two runs as Lady Vikings fall.
Well, that didn't take long.
In a crisp, one-hour, 10-minute game, the Lady Vikings varsity softball team only managed one hit in a 3-0 loss to Herricks, in Conference III/IV crossover action. It was the fifth straight loss for Schreiber (3-5 Conference III, 4-5 overall). Herricks improved to 5-4.
Pitching duels equal speed, and that was the case in the early innings. Schreiber ace Danielle Leibowitz cut through the Herricks lineup the first time around, retiring the first 11 batters. The key? Improved defense, according to Schreiber coach Eric Sutz.
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"I felt it was the cleanest defensive game we played," Sutz said. "Sara Marinelli and Christina Mouradian at center field and shortstop had truly strong defensive games."
Unfortunately, defense doesn't beget offense — not on this day. Schreiber hitters were unable to figure out Herricks starter Justine Lopez. The righty was able to match Leibowitz early on, with only errors behind her giving the Vikings a chance to get things going.
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With the game scoreless entering the bottom of the fifth, the Highlanders' offense finally awoke. Four straight hits broke the ice, capped off by Lopez's two-run double, a shot just out of the reach of Schreiber second baseman Kristen Peterson. Megan Chamoff added a sac fly, making it 3-0.
Schreiber would get a chance to answer. Left fielder Linda Kim drew a one-out walk, and third baseman Maria Gardella appeared to have gotten her into scoring position when sloppy Herricks defense botched a force play, but Kim strayed off second and was tagged out.
In the very least, there would be no no-hitter for Lopez. Mouradian led off the seventh with a clean single, and soon Schreiber would have the tying run at the plate, but couldn't convert. Lopez finished the day with a complete-game shutout, striking out five.
Leibowitz took the loss, going the distance, allowing the three runs on six hits. In the end, however, it was a day of shaky baserunning and missed opportunities for the Lady Vikings.
"Besides the inability to deliver a clutch hit, we made two poor base running decisions that cost us today," Sutz said. "Those types of mistakes are even more costly when you're playing against a team with the talent of Herricks."
The Lady Vikings will try to end their losing streak on Tuesday at home against Bellmore JFK. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
