Schreiber Softball's Losing Streak Continues

Since winning the first four games of the varsity softball season, the Lady Vikings have since dropped a half a dozen in a row. Their sixth straight loss came on Tuesday with a 6-3 loss to Bellmore JFK at Guggenheim Elementary School in a AA-III/IV crossover game.

Cougars' starter Sam Finkel pitched seven strong innings while allowing just three runs on six hits and striking out 10 batters to lead Bellmore JFK (8-1 Conference AA-III, 8-2 overall) to its sixth straight win. Jessie Eiseman was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI and Carly Thea and Heather Hulkower each went 2-for-4.

The Lady Vikings' (3-6 Conference AA-IV, 4-6 overall) sloppy defense helped get Bellmore JFK out to an early 4-0 lead. Pitcher Sara Marinelli, starting her first game of the season, went four innings and gave up four earned runs. "I was so nervous," Marinelli said. "It absolutely reflected in my game. I think I did OK, but it was really nerve-racking to go up against a good team."

Marinelli, however, tried to make up for her nervousness at bat as she plated the team's first run, drawing a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the second to drive in a run and cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Cougars extended their lead to 6-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but the Lady Vikings refused to go down without a fight. Following some sloppy defense by Bellmore JFK, Alex Caprariella scored from third on a passed ball, making the score 6-2. Maria Gardella then brought Aimee Stern home with an RBI single to pull the score to 6-3. But that was as close as the Lady Vikings would come on this afternoon.

"We fought the whole game," coach Eric Sutz said. "We scored two runs in the seventh and loaded the bases, putting us in a position with a hit to tie or win the game."

Sutz added, "These past two losses to Herricks and Bellmore have been tough but I have said openly said they have been the best and most complete games we have played. Bellmore is 8-1 in a higher conference and we were within one big hit of a huge upset."

The Lady Vikings will try to snap their losing streak on Thursday when they head to Calhoun for a Conference AA-III matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.