The 12U girls from New Hyde Park won the Little League Section 5 Championship in dramatic fashion with a come from behind extra inning 7-6 walk off win against a very talented South Shore Little League team from Staten Island.
Staten Island, playing on their home field, scored a run in the top of the first but New Hyde Park came right back to tie it in the bottom of the first when Kayla Fitzpatrick bunted her way on, stole second and scored on a hard single by Victoria Mooney.
Staten Island rallied in the third and the fourth scoring five runs to take the 6-1 lead, but these girls from New Hyde Park keep battling.
Melissa Ward came on in relief to shut down a bases-loaded situation in the top of the fourth and New Hyde Park rallied in the bottom of the fourth putting four runs up to move within a run going into the fifth inning. Ward, Mooney and Ann Grimshaw hit consecutive rocket singles to score the runs in the fourth inning.
After a scoreless fifth the New Hyde Park Little League came up in the bottom of the sixth needing a run to keep the game going. Fitzpatrick bunted her way on again, stole a base and scored on another clutch hit by Mooney to tie the game. Grimshaw had another hit in the inning and Gabby Morales added a walk but NHP did not score again in the sixth so the game moved to extra innings.
Staten Island loaded the bases in the seventh but Fitzpatrick made a terrific jumping catch of a line drive then stepped on first to complete the inning-ending double play.
Fitzpatrick was not done yet. Emma Nidermaier walked to start the seventh then stole second and third in between two outs. Fitzpatrick stepped to the plate and quickly fell behind 1-2 before lining a walk off single to left field to win the game.
Just one more dramatic walk-off win for the girls from New Hyde Park.
Ward was the winning pitcher with four excellent innings, giving up no runs while striking out four batters. Maggie Donnelly was terrific for NHP on defense making seven plays in the field. Jenny Hickey had a hit and a run scored. Hannah Arkin walked and scored as well.
As always this was another great team win for New Hyde Park Little League.
Samantha Merino played shortstop and outfielders Sophia Jacoby and Nicole Kuzler are always in the right spot.
The team moves to the Little League New York State tournament where they will play Wednesday July 13 at 8 p.m. against the Section 1 winner, Fairport, in South Orangetown.
The tournament is double elimination with the six section winners from New York battling it out to decide who will represent New York in the Eastern Regional tournament in Bristol, CT, the following week. Islip from Suffolk County will represent Section 4 while Saugerties, Camden and New City are the other Section winners in the New York State tournament.
