By Rob Potter
LIVINGSTON MANOR — May 16, 2003 – The Family School softball team took command early in Tuesday’s OCIAA Division V game at Livingston Manor.
The Lady Falcons scored twice in the second inning and added seven runs in the third to take a 9-0 lead over the Lady Wildcats.
Although Manor (1-6, 1-4 Division V) managed to comeback later in the game, Family School (4-5, 3-3 Division V) posted an 11-6 win.
The key inning for the Lady Falcons was the third. Dee Gill led off with a single and Joanna Heretick walked to put two runners on with no outs. Gill later scored when Cecili Crenshaw hit into a fielder’s choice.
Lauren Blythe walked to load the bases and the next batter, Gabby Ampuero, ripped a double to right center field that cleared the bases and gave Family School a 6-0 lead. Ampuero and Karen Scutt each scored on a groundout later in the inning and Gill had an RBI single as the Lady Falcons extended their lead to 9-0.
“We seem to have one bad inning every game,” Manor Coach Gail Denman said. “Usually it’s the first inning, but today it was the third. After that inning, we were o.k.”
The Lady Wildcats scored two runs in the bottom of the third and continued to battle back in the fourth inning.
In the fourth, Manor’s Dana Manell led off with a walk and later scored on an error. Liz Weickum reached base on that error and Alys Mann walked to put two runner on with no outs. Jen Wright then smacked a double to left center that brought both Weickum and Mann in to score and cut the Family School lead to 9-5.
“We kept playing hard when Manor came back with some runs,” Family School Coach Mike Losicco said. “If the team keeps its composure during a bad stretch and doesn’t get frustrated, then we do o.k.”
After Manor scored a run in the fifth to make it a 9-6 game, the Lady Falcons responded with two runs in the top of the seventh. Anna Landry scored on a passed ball and Erin Lewis crossed the plate on a ground out.
“I’m very happy with this outcome,” Losicco said. “We needed a win to keep our playoff hopes alive.”
While the Lady Falcons are trying to capture a spot in the upcoming sectional tournament, the Lady Wildcats are trying to pick up a few more wins before the season ends.
“We’re having a rebuilding year,” Denman said. “We have three returing players and the rest are [varsity] rookies. It’s tough, but the girls are improving.”