Softball: Monarchs put up seven runs in sixth, defeat Tuckers 10-7

A big inning is bound to happen. It’s all about limiting the damage because things go can go south real quick.

After putting up five runs in the first inning, Mattituck looked as if they would run away with things, playing before a home crowd on Wednesday. But McGann-Mercy never gave in.

Mercy’s head coach Rich Schaub made a pitching change to start the second inning and brought in Isabela Sorgi. It was her first time pitching all year but it sure didn’t look like it.

Sorgi only gave up two runs the rest of the way as the Monarchs began to fight back.

“Izzy came in and got the job done,” Schaub said. “But I’m not surprised because she’s been working at it all year.”

Mercy (4-1 League VI) got two runs in the fourth inning to cut the lead to two.

“I told them as long as we tighten up our defense and start chipping away good things would happen,” Schaub said.

But in the bottom of the inning Mattituck’s Lisa Angell ripped a two-out RBI double to extend the lead 6-3.

After a quick fifth inning, it was Mercy’s turn to have the big inning. And with the help of some errors, the top of the lineup came up with runners on base and began to hit and hit and hit.

Olivia Valle hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 6-5 and would later score on a few wild pitches to tie up the game. Ali Hulse followed with a single. Micaela Zabroski smacked a single right after and Nicole Gravagna gave Mercy the lead, 7-6 on a RBI single.

Three more runs would cross the plate in the inning.

Mattituck (2-4 League VI) just couldn’t stop the bleeding and Mercy came away with the victory, 10-7.

It was a crushing loss for the Tuckers that seemed in control for most of the game.

“We haven’t had a full squad because of injuries since the beginning of the season,” Mattituck head coach Kelly Pickering said. “We’re young and we made some errors. Can’t win a game when you’re making errors–bottom line.”

Mercy, who’s positioned second in the league after the victory, has been resurgent all season long.

“We’ve played tough games all season long day in and day out,” Schaub said. “It all depends on who will blink first and we’re usually the team that comes out on top.”

Mercy and Mattituck both play Center Moriches next. The Monarchs will face them on Friday and the Tuckers get them on Monday.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl