Lady Knights split last two games of Florida trip

Posted 3/29/16

The CCRI Lady Knights concluded their play at THE Spring Games at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. on Thursday. Once again, CCRI squared off against two very good teams. First, they …

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Lady Knights split last two games of Florida trip

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The CCRI Lady Knights concluded their play at THE Spring Games at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. on Thursday. Once again, CCRI squared off against two very good teams. First, they faced the Tommies of the University of St. Thomas from St. Paul, Minn., and then had a return meeting with the Barons of Rowan College at Burlington County. The Lady Knights staged a valiant comeback versus St. Thomas, winning 8-5 in eight innings and then fell 6-3 in a very good game versus Burlington. With the split, CCRI goes 3-3 during THE Spring Games, bringing its overall record to 3-5.

Game 1: CCRI- 8 University of St. Thomas- 5

In a game that was not for the faint of heart, the Lady Knights, who were the visitors, trailed 2-0 going into the sixth inning before they exploded for four runs. 

St. Thomas would come back with single runs in the sixth and seventh to tie the score at 4. 

The game then went into the international tiebreaker, whereas the last batter of the previous inning starts at second base. 

CCRI had another great rally to score four more runs while holding the Tommies to just one run to win 8-5.

In the circle getting the start for CCRI was freshman Courtney Sheridan (Warwick, R.I.), who pitched very well. Sheridan threw four strong innings, giving up just two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. She pitched well against a very strong and deep lineup with a roster that featured 33 players. In relief, getting her first action at pitcher, was Mikayla Fernandez (Burrillville, R.I.), who pitched unbelievably considering the situation. Fernandez pitched four innings with four walks, all intentional to get bases loaded and create force out opportunities, and little added pressure in her first appearance. Fernandez gave up three runs on four hits and struck out four batters to earn her first collegiate victory. 

Head Coach Liz Afonso commented on Fernandez’s performance: “Mikayla (Fernandez) was outstanding. One of our MVP’s this week, no matter what we asked of her she stepped up big time. It was not easy to get your first experience in the circle in a game like this. I know she may have been nervous, but she never showed it. I had full confidence in her and our defense, which is why we put the runners on to create more opportunities to get outs. And what can I say about Courtney (Sheridan) – she pitched a lot of innings this week and was our ace, bearing down through the heat against very strong lineups. She is a very good pitcher and is getting better and stronger with every outing. I am looking forward to the rest of the season with her leading the pitching staff.”

Playing with a 2-0 deficit going into the sixth inning, CCRI had only had three hits and needed a rally. Kristina Rodriguez (North Kingstown, R.I.) got on to lead off the inning, followed by a double from Maddy Cooper (Pawtucket, R.I.). Rodriguez scored on an RBI single from Bella Malvinni (Westerly, R.I.), followed by a sacrifice from tri-captain Jess Spargo (Westerly, R.I.) to tie the score, 2-2. Malvinni scored on an RBI single from tri-captain Jenna Urso (West Warwick, R.I.) to give CCRI its first lead. Then, Abby Martinelli (West Greenwich, R.I.) drove in Urso with another RBI single to give CCRI a 4-2 lead midway through the sixth. 

The Tommies answered with one in the bottom of the inning to make the score 4-3, and another in the seventh to tie the game, 4-4.  

In the tiebreaker, Cooper started at second and advanced to third on a single from Malvinni, who stole second to put runners on second and third. Spargo executed a perfect bunt single to load the bases. Urso followed with another perfect bunt single to give CCRI a 5-4 lead. Martinelli scored Malvinni on an RBI single. CCRI capped its scoring in the eighth with an RBI double from speedster Meghan Rousseau, giving CCRI an 8-4 lead.  

CCRI allowed only the runner who started at second to score, as Fernandez once again with a forced bases-loaded situation slammed the door shut to give CCRI the dramatic, 8-5 victory. Coach Afonso added: “everyone contributed in this victory, this was a true team win. I could not be more happy with how we performed in this game, everyone.”

Offensive recap: Urso was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, followed by Malvinni with two hits, two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base. Cooper stayed hot with two hits, two runs scored and a stolen base, Martinelli had two hits, two RBIs and Rousseau had a clutch RBI double. Sheridan also added a couple of hits and Spargo chipped in with an RBI single.

Game 2: CCRI- 3 Burlington- 6

In the circle for the Lady Knights was Spargo, who pitched well though she was not getting favorable calls from the men in blue. When the opposing coach says “Those changeups were strikes,” you know that was the case. That being said, Spargo was mentally tough enough to battle through the adversity to keep the potent Barons’ lineup in check. Spargo threw 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits with four strikeouts and nine free passes. 

Sheridan relieved her and threw 3 2/3 innings of strong relief, allowing three runs on four hits with three walks. After giving up 13 runs to this team on Tuesday, CCRI pitched better and played outstanding defense. Some defensive highlights included a diving catch at third from Malvinni and a 7-5-2-5 double play in the sixth. Defense was capped by a sliding catch down the left field line from Rodriguez.        

Offensively, the Lady Knights were playing from behind the entire game and could not get any extended rallies going, though they had 11 hits. CCRI got one run in the second, one in the fourth and one in the fifth, but only got within two runs of Burlington.  

CCRI got two hits, an RBI and a stolen base from Malvinni, and two hits and an RBI from Kim Barker (Narragansett, R.I.). It also got two hits from Sheridan, Rousseau and Cooper, and one from Urso.

Coach Afonso commented after the last game: “This has been one of our best trips down here in a while. We got three wins against top-flight talent. I am excited for us to build upon this when we get back home.”   

The Lady Knights will face Northern Essex back in Rhode Island at Winslow Park on Thursday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. 

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