The New Hyde Park Little League Girls 11/12-year-old softball team will play for the New York State championship in its division against Half Hollow Hills on Monday night.
The New Hyde Park team shut out the previously unbeaten Half Hollow Hills behind a no-hitter from Jenny Hickey on Friday. But New Hyde Park lost a 3-2 decision on Sunday morning.
In the Friday contest, Hickey struck out out 6 and nearly pitching a perfect game, giving up only one walk and open runner who got on base on an error. Half Hollows did not have a runner on second base the entire game.
Hickey added two hits and two runs scored as NHPLL rolled.
Kayla Fitzpatrick had another lead off hit and scored the first run of the game for NHPLL, the eight straight game Fitzpatrick scored the first run of the game in the first inning for NHPLL. Fitzpatrick also had three hits in the game.
Melissa Ward singled in Fitzpatrick in the first inning, moved to second on the throw then scored when Ann Grimshaw smoked an opposite field single to put NHPLL up 2-0.
NHPLL scored again in the third inning when Fitzpatrick and Hickey singled, followed by an RBI single off the bat of Maggie Donnelly.
NHP almost had a big inning when the hot bat of Gabby Morales came up with runners on but the 2nd basemen made a catch on a liner to end the inning.
The score was 3-0 moving into the fifth inning when NHP put up six runs to close out the game.
Nicole Kuzler and Katie Tubridy each had RBI singles in the inning. Maggie, Melissa and Sophia Jacoby drew RBI walks in the inning and Fitzpatrick finished the inning with a solid two-run single to left.
Hannah Arkin and Emma Nidermaier each made running catches in the outfield as NHPLL played solid defense. Jacoby had two nice assists at second base. Donnelly had an assist and a nice catch on a bunt while playing third base. Hickey helped herself with a nice assist in the second inning. Grimshaw jumped out on a bunt in the 5th inning to nail a runner at first and Ward had an assist in the fifth on a grounder to short.
The Championship Game is this Sunday, July 15 at 10 a.m at Stony Point Little League.
If NHPLL wins they move on to the Eastern Regional Tournament in Bristol, Ct. starting July 20.
