Pearl River and Dobbs Ferry are representing Section 1 at the NYSPHSAA Championships at the Green Light Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton.
Both are playing in the Class A and B state semifinals. If they win, they advance to the state championship game on June 13.
NYSPHSAA Championships
Semifinals
At Green Light Networks Grand Slam Park, Binghamton
Class A: Pearl River 5, Wantagh (Section 8) 4
Class B: Dobbs Ferry 7, Babylon (Section 11) 4
Pearl River rallies late, heads to first state final since 2010
This game was emblematic of everything Pearl River softball is about ― an unrelenting grit and unwavering resolve, along with the ability to pressure the defense.
“Whatever it takes!” Pirates coach Chris Woolgar said.
And it took a dramatic seventh-inning rally to get this team in position now to compete for a state championship.
Pearl River came from behind to beat Long Island’s Wantagh, 5-4, in a Class A state semifinal at Green Light Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton.
“It means the world,” said Bella Caparrelli, who drove in the winning run in the top of the seventh. “We’ve all put in a lot of work. Especially coming back after last year. I think as a team we’ve grown to where we are now. I think this is something we can achieve.”
What this group hopes to achieve is another victory, which would capture the program’s first state title since 2010.
With the Pirates down a run in the seventh, Cait Murphy hit a leadoff double. Taylor Donnelly hit a grounder to the right side, resulting in an error that allowed Murphy to score the tying run.
“I had two strikes on me, and I knew I had to get the ball in play,” Donnelly said. “Do whatever it takes to get (Murphy) in. As soon as I saw the ball get past first base I thought, ‘Murph better score!’”
Donnelly took second on the error. Angie Franzese’s sacrifice bunt moved Donnelly to third, setting up Caparrelli’s RBI single to right for that gave Pearl River the lead.
“Walking into the box, I knew everyone in front of me did their job and now it was time to do mine,” she said. “With the game being tied I knew what I had to do.”
What it means
Pearl River will face Section 2’s Averill Park in the state final on Sunday, 10 a.m. on Field 2 at Green Light Networks Grand Slam Park.
Wantagh, which won its first Section 8 championship since 1990, finished the season 18-7.
How it happened
Pearl River took a 3-0 lead when Franzese scored on a fielder’s choice. But the Warriors rallied in the fifth inning and took a 4-3 lead on Veronica Familio’s sacrifice fly. That set up the Pirates comeback two innings later.
Freshman pitcher Ashlyn Ryan had a gutsy performance to earn the win. She allowed one earned run and 10 hits with three strikeouts in a complete game.
“She’s a fighter,” Woolgar said of his ace. “I think the big thing for her has been her composure. She’s not going to get rattled in the circle. You always know what to expect from her. She’s going to give you her best effort always.”
Player of the game
Taylor Donnelly, Pearl River: This easily could’ve gone to Caparrelli for driving in their most important run of the season to this point, but Donnelly is the sparkplug of this team. Her defense in center field was spectacular, including a putout that helped clinch the win in the bottom of the seventh.
By the numbers
Pearl River (23-3) — Caparrelli 1-3, SAC, 2 RBI; Murphy 1-3, 2B, RS; Donnelly, Franzese RS each
Wantagh (18-7) — Megan Martone 1-3, RS; Hailey Kissinger 2-3; Scarlett Bartilucci 1-3; Emily Polarolo 0-3, RBI; Lucy Olore 1-4, 2B, LP 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K; M Pfaff 1-4, RBI; Veronica Familio RBI; Savannah Gandini 2-4, RS; Gianna Gerbe 2-3, RS.
They said it
“I think any time (an opponent) ties the game and takes the lead, you want to keep it right there,” Woolgar said. “It gives your offense a chance to tie it up. Between Ashlyn staying composed to get the next batter, and the defense backing her up, it’s a recipe for a comeback.”
“Continue doing what we’re doing,” Donnelly said of their mindset entering the state final. “Be very confident, put the ball in play and score some runs.”
Twitter: @LoHud_Debbie; @LoHudSoftball
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Dobbs Ferry and Pearl River advance to softball state finals June 13
