Zambrano, Polizois combine to get Shore past .500 mark
CHRIS KELLY Shore Regional first baseman Robyn Appicelli reins in a pick-off attempt during the Blue Devils’ 19-10 win over Henry Hudson on Monday.
Blue Devils’ bats burn Admirals for 11 hits
By chris kelly
Staff Writer
Simply put, Shore Regional’s girls’ softball team needed this win. With the state playoff deadline rapidly approaching, the Blue Devils need to string together some wins in order to surpass the .500 mark by May 10.
On Monday, the players answered the call, defeating Henry Hudson 19-10, and improving their record to 5-4.
After giving up a run in the top of the first inning, which started when Sara Weiner led off with a walk, advanced to third on a Kendra Boyd double, then scored on a single by Erin Haydena, Shore quickly took the lead in their half of the inning, scoring a pair.
Shortstop Lauren Hennessey led off the Blue Devils’ first at bat by slap-bunting her way to first. The young speedster stole second, then stole third, as Missy Somers stole second after walking.
Shore drove their first run home as Meredith Corradino was thrown out at first on a fielder’s choice play, and then took the lead on a sacrifice fly struck by Kristin McConville.
The Blue Devils padded their lead, 6-1, in the second inning, scoring four runs on three hits. Mary Marino led off the inning with a walk, and eventually crossed the plate on a Christina Zambrano single. Zambrano then stole second and was knocked home on a RBI single ripped into the outfield by Hennessey. Hennessey was able to advance to second as Henry Hudson tried to throw out Zambrano at the plate, then to third on another infielder’s error.
Corradino then earned her second and third RBIs of the game, knocking home Hennessey and Somers, who walked and stole second, on a line drive single to right field.
Before the first half of the third inning was finished, the Admirals cut Shore’s lead to 6-5. Five hits, including three doubles, enabled the visitors to edge their way back into the game.
However, that slim one-run lead soon exploded into a 15-6 command, as the Blue Devils erupted for nine runs on only three hits. Robyn Apicelli sparked the avalanche by reaching first in a second baseman’s error. Another error allowed Marino to reach first, and Brittney Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fielder’s choice plays hit into by Carolyn Dempsey, Hennessey and Somers allowed the next three batters to enter the base paths, and as well as score the three previous Shore runners.
With only one out, Shore tacked on another three runs on a double stroked by Corradino. Dempsey and Hennessey easily scored on the double, while Somers was able to raced from third to home as the Admiral’s right fielder misplayed the ball, also allowing Corradino to travel an extra base.
Michelle Polizois added her name to the list of Shore batters to earn a hit in the game, earning a single. Polizois easily stole second, before Apicelli bounced a line drive off the fence in the right field. The double easily scored Corradino and Polizois.
Shore loaded the bases again in the inning, with Marino walking to first, and Smith safely reaching on a fielder’s choice play. Shore’s last run of the inning was scored as Apicelli walked over the dish, as Zambrano walked on a full count.
Henry Hudson went on to outscore their hosts 5-4 in the fifth inning, but wouldn’t cross the plate for the rest of the game.
Shore sent four players over the plate on an RBI single by Dempsey, a two-RBI, ground-rule double by Hennessey, and a RBI triple ripped by Somers.
Along with two RBIs to her name, Zambrano worked the mound for Shore for the five innings.
The young right hander faced 31 batters in her time at work, managing to fan two.
Polizois came in for the last batter of the fifth, then retired the side with three straight strike outs in the sixth and earned another strikeout in the seventh.
On Tuesday, the Blue Devils routed Colts Neck 15-3 to improve to 6-4, and were set to face St. Rose on Wednesday, and Red Bank tomorrow. With three more games before the playoff deadline, the Devils need to play .500 ball the rest of the way to assure themselves a spot in the postseason.