The Riverhead Blue Waves varsity softball team has secured a spot in the playoffs for the first time in three years.
The Waves earned the playoff berth with a 11-10 come-from-behind win in West Babylon Wednesday afternoon, in a see-saw game marred by defensive lapses.
Down 9-7 heading into the top on the 7th, Stephanie Falisi (3-4) got things started with a one-out triple. She scored on Karla Vanston’s double, tying the game at 9-9. Joscelin Morrow drove in Corinne Kimmelman and the Blue Waves entered the bottom of the 7th with a 11-9 lead. They would surrender one run in the 7th, escaping in West Babylon with a crucial win.
Riverhead followed that up with a 3-2 victory over Half Hollow Hills West (11-4) at home yesterday on a walk-off home run by Stephanie Falisi in extra innings.
Amanda Graziano singled home Danni Napoli, who went 4 for 4 in the game, to tie the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
Graziano pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and fanning seven batters. It was her 10th win on the season.
With yesterday’s victory, Riverhead (11-4 in League IV, 12-4 overall) tied Hills West for first place in League IV.
“They don’t quit,” head coach Bob Fox said of his team Thursday. “They just don’t quit.”
Correction: A previously published version of this article incorrectly stated the Waves had not made the playoffs in four years. The last time the team made the playoffs was 2010. Thank you to Coach Bob Fox for catching this mistake. We regret the error.
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