New Hyde Park Little League 4
Franklin Square 2
The New Hyde Park Little League girls are off to a good start in the Little League district tournament after an exciting 4-2 over a very strong Franklin Square team on Friday, June 24.
In the first game of the district tournament in the 11/12 year old division New Hyde Park Little League started nine 11-year old girls.
Starting pitcher Jenny Hickey was awesome in limiting the Franklin Square girls to two unearned runs while striking out eight batters in a complete game victory. Hickey mixed speeds like a seasoned veteran to keep the opponent off balance all game Hickey also had a solid single to center to score a run in the big four-run third inning for NHP.
Melissa Ward started the rally with a single, followed by Ann Grimshaw walking which set the stage for Samantha Merino who broke the scoreless game with a line shot to right for the 1-0 lead.
Hickey followed with a run scoring single. Gabby Morales had a great at bat drawing a walk bringing Kayla Fitzpatrick up with the bases loaded. Fitzpatrick scorched a double to right scoring two runs to give NHP the 4-0 lead. Franklin Square would come back with a few runs but NHP was solid on defense in winning the game.
Emma Nidermaier made a terrific running catch in centerfield to stop a rally. Samantha Merino made a few nice plays at short including the final out with runners on base and Maggie Donnelly had two nice plays at 3rd for NHP.
New Hyde Park Little League 15
Valley Stream 5
In game 2 of the district tournament on Saturday, June 25 the New Hyde Park Little League came out swinging scoring early and often against the overmatched team from Valley Stream.
Valley Stream took the early lead in the first inning when NHPLL pitching was wild but Melissa Ward settled down after the first inning to dominate the rest of the game on the mound. Ward struck out 10 in four innings and helped the offense with two hits.
Kayla Fitzpatrick went three for three and scored all three times up. Victoria Mooney also went three for three and scored two runs. Nicole Kuzler and Sophia Jacoby each had two hits and a run scored for NHPLL.
Gabby Morales hit a long double and added a single and a run scored. Emma Nidermaier and Maggie Donnelly each had a hit, a walk and a run scored for the high powered NHPLL offense.
Samantha Merino added a hit and a run scored as everyone on NHPLL had a hand in the offense putting up 15 runs in three at bats.
The team moves into the Winners Bracket final game against Garden City South on Wed June 29.
The winner will move onto the finals scheduled for Saturday July 2 at Pistillo field in Franklin Square.
