Tappan Zee Finally Beats Pearl River Softball

 The Tappan Zee softball team entered Tuesday's game at Pearl River having last defeated the Pirates during a run to the section finals in 2007. 

The Dutchmen changed that Tuesday, jumping out to an early lead on the way to a 5-1 victory.

"It's been 1-0 games, one-hitters, no-hitters," said Tappan Zee Head Coach Gene Kousoulas. "We've been right there. It was our time."

Tappan Zee improved its record to 2-2, dropping Pearl River to 1-2-1.

Pearl River won both matchups by shutout last season, but Tappan Zee started fast this time around by putting runners on second and third on Megan Trozzo's single and Dee Sinanaj's double. Trozzo was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice to the pitcher, but Amanda Carroll singled home Sinanaj to give the Dutchmen a 1-0 lead. 

"It was good to have a cushion," junior pitcher Paulina Gutkin said. "It's a mental game as much as a physical game. Going into the (bottom of the) first inning having a run already helped.

"We really brought out the bats. That has been a problem the last couple of games, but we came out strong and kept it going."  

Trozzo played a key role all game, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. She helped Tappan Zee build on its lead in the third, following Gutkin's leadoff single with one of her own. Sinanaj brought one run in with an RBI grounder to the pitcher. Trozzo scored on Kelley Connolley's ground out.

"They scored first and we have to come back with our bats and our defense," Pearl River Head Coach Carisa Gaylardo said. "That's basically it. Their pitcher was good. Mandy did well. She settled in. We just have to hit and we have to execute."

Gutkin, who was making a fifth career start against Pearl River, gave up only an unearned run on four hits and four walks while striking out four.

"Just guts. Paulina is the hardest worker I've seen come through this program in a long time," Kousoulas said. "Offseason. During the season."

Pearl River finally got to gutkin in the sixth. McCarthy led off with a single and courtesy runner Sarah Henry moved to third on Julie Marsico's bunt single and an error. Sophomore third baseman Alexa Candelario drove Henry in with a sacrifice fly to center field, but the Pirates could do no more damage.

"We fell apart a little in the second to last inning, but we pulled it together and didn't let it snowball," Gutkin said.

McCarthy struck out four while giving up five runs on eight hits and three walks. Second baseman Erin Woods was the only Pirate to reach base more than once. She singled, walked and reached on an error. 

Tappan Zee tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh, with Trozzo hitting an RBI double and scoring on an error.

"That was a nice cushion," Kousoulas said. "One swing wasn't going to beat us. Not this time."

Kousoulas is a Pearl River graduate who took over the Tappan Zee program in 2007, so the win had special meaning for him.

"I've got a lot of friends here, rooting for me and against me," Kousoulas said. "It's been a long time coming."

Softball
Tappan Zee 5, Pearl River 1
Tappan Zee 103 000 2 -- 5 8 1
Pearl River   000 001 0 -- 1 4 2
WP: Gutkin; LP: McCarthy