Pearl River Edges Tappan Zee Softball

Pearl River and Tappan Zee both missed on scoring chances during Monday's game at Tappan Zee.

Pearl River second baseman Erin Woods took full advantage of her opportunity when she came up with the bases loaded and two out in the fourth, lining a two-run single that gave the Pirates all the runs they would need in a 3-2 victory.

"The pitch was right there and I just focused on it and luckily it was enough," Woods said.

"Erin came up clutch in that game for us," Pearl River Head Coach Carisa Gaylardo said. 

Pearl River ran its winning streak to four games since a 5-1 loss to Tappan Zee April 16. 

"It was great," Woods said. "We did the same thing with (Clarkstown) South. We forget about it and learn from our mistakes."

"If it's not a tight game, we're not playing each other," Tappan Zee Head Coach Gene Kousoulas said. "This is one of the better teams in the county. When they come to play, they come to play. If we don't play our best game, any team, not just PR, can take us out."

Kousoulas pointed to missed opportunities to score. Tappan Zee had runners on base every inning but the second and seventh against Pearl River junior pitcher Mandy McCarthy, who struck out seven and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks. 

"There were opportunities to make things happen," Kousoulas said. "It would have been nice to if they did."

McCarthy also got the Pearl River offense started with a two-out double in the top of the first. Courtesy runner Caroline Alicandri scored on Deirdre O'Malley's single. 

Tappan Zee got the run back in the bottom of the first. Megan Trozzo dropped a fly ball on the right field line, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Kelly Connolley's sacrifice fly to right. 

Sophomore Katherine Gilbride sparked Pearl River's two-run rally in the fourth by leading off with the second of her two hits in the game, a double. One out later, Kristen McGarvey grounded back to Tappan Zee pitcher Paulina Gutkin, who tried to get Gilbride at second, but threw late. With two outs, Sam Alicandri drew a walk to set up Woods' two-run single.

"We missed on the pitch coming inside a bit further and she hit a rope," Kousoulas said. "They got an extra run when the throw home was off a little bit. We had a chance (earlier in the inning) on that comebacker."

Tappan Zee again rallied immediately, scoring a run when Kaitlin Quirk's single skipped by the right fielder. McCarthy struck out Chrissie Ryan and Cassie Leone to strand Quirk at third base.

Gutkin held the Pirates down the rest of the way. She struck out six and gave up three runs on six hits and a walk. She also created a scoring chance in the fifth when she reached on a bunt single and moved to second base on a wild pitch. Kousoulas called for a fake bunt, then a straight steal attempt of third base, but Sam Alicandri got to the base to cover in time and O'Malley threw Gutkin out.

"We thought we would beat the shortstop over and she got there in time. We were looking to see if we could make something happen with less than two outs," Kousoulas said. "Then a ground ball brings her home. 

Softball
Pearl River 3, Tappan Zee 2
Pearl River   100 200 0 -- 3 6 1
Tappan Zee 100 100 0 -- 2 7 2
WP: Mandy McCarthy; LP Paulina Gutkin