Mepham Softball Holds On for First-Round Playoff Win

The fifth-seeded Mepham Lady Pirates softball team made it interesting Friday afternoon at Mepham High School, but managed to hang on against the 12th-seeded Baldwin Lady Bruins in the first round of the Class AA playoffs by a score of 4-2.

Junior catcher Claudia Law got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with a triple that plated Kristan Taylor. Law came around to score on the next batter after a Baldwin error.

Shannon McLean scored in the bottom of the third on a groundball from third baseman Casey Thomas to put the Lady Pirates up 3-0.

Two errors and a walk put runners on second and third with nobody out in the top of the first for Baldwin. Two more singles loaded the bases and brought the Mepham lead to 3-1.

Starting pitcher Victoria Gunnels was pulled for freshman Toni Marie Valeriano, who allowed a single which cut the lead to 3-2, still with nobody.

Valeriano got Baldwin clean-up hitter Katie Greene to strike out and then got the next batter to ground into a 1-2-3 doube play to end the inning.

Nicole Pazienza drove in an insurance run for the Lady Pirates in the bottom of the sixth and Valeriano shut the door in the top of seventh for the win.

“At least they didn’t give up. They came back hard and we got the extra run, which was big," Mepham head coach Mike Muscara said. "We were a little lucky, but sometimes you need a little luck in this game."

Score: Mepham 4, Baldwin 2

Records (overall): Baldwin 16-4; Mepham 12-6

Heroes: Pazienza went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in a big insurance run. She also reached base in all four at bats.

Valeriano came into the game in the top of the fifth and made sure that the Lady Bruins didn't capitalize on the errors which almost opened the floodgates. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate.

“She came in and she did a nice job," Muscara said of his freshman. "Victoria did a nice job too, but her fielders didn’t help her.”

Turning Point: There was no bigger point in the game then when Valeriano recorded a strike out and then turned a quick 1-2-3 double play with Law and Gunnels to end the inning.

“It was a tough situation, but we got out of it with defense because it definitely wasn’t me," Valeriano said. "The defense was behind me 100 percent.”

Quotable: “I’m glad they hung tough and we got out of a bases-loaded jam. Toni came in and did a good job," Muscara said. "Not to say that Victoria didn’t pitch well. I thought she pitched well too, but she got hurt by our defense, so I had to make the move and it worked out – this time.”

Bottom Line:  The win puts Mepham up against the fourth-seeded East Meadow Lady Jets on Monday.

“I’m excited. I expect to win, honestly," Valeriano said. "I expect to do well."

The Lady Pirates split the season series with East Meadow, losing the first matchup 8-6, but winning the most recent game 10-2.

“If we play like this we’re going to get slaughtered," he said. "We need to sure up our defense, we have to hit a little better. We didn’t get out hits.”

Who's Next? April 16, Mepham @ East Meadow, 4:30 p.m.

Box Score

WP: Gunnels (Mepham)

LP: Mertens (Baldwin)