Wins mounting for Lady Bruins

Down two runs in the fourth inning of a Nassau Conference AA-III softball game April 14, Baldwin got a three-run homer from senior shortstop Katie Greene to take the lead and a grand slam from sophomore pitcher Carly Mertens to pull away for a 15-3 victory at Port Washington.

It was the eighth homer in 10 games for Mertens, who drove in six runs on the day as the Lady Bruins improved to 6-0 in conference play and 9-1 overall.

“We’re hitting the ball really well, especially with runners on base,” Baldwin coach Tom Llewellyn said. “That’s the biggest part for us right now. We’re getting timely hits every game.”

With Mertens, Greene and junior Olivia Phillips leading the way, Baldwin’s offense is producing an average of 16 runs per game. Greene and Phillips have three homers apiece.

Mertens, who leads off, is batting a sizzling .737 with 42 RBI and has won eight of nine decisions in the pitching circle. “She’s playing her best in pressure situations,” Llewellyn said. “The bottom of the order is doing a great job getting on base, allowing Carly to hit with runners in scoring position. She’s cashing in the opportunities.”

Junior Jacqui Fisher, eighth-grader Jade Aponte and senior Danielle Perri are putting the ball in play or being patient at the plate and drawing walks. Perri, a lefty slapper, essentially serves as a second leadoff hitter from the No. 9 hole.

“We don’t have a weak spot in the lineup,” Llewellyn said. “Everyone is hustling and playing hard. The girls are having a lot of fun.”

If anything Baldwin can improve, Llewellyn said, is its walks against. Mertens is working hard to better her control, since opponents are hitting just .186 against her. “Carly knows our defense behind her is strong,” Llewellyn said. “She doesn’t have to get strikeouts for us to keep teams from scoring.”

Mertens tossed five shutout innings and allowed just one hit in the series opener against Port Washington — a 15-0 victory April 13. She struck out six and aided her own cause with a pair of homers. Phillips, who has been solid with the glove at third base, homered and knocked in four runs.

Freshman Jessica Pulis has done a fine job pitching as well. She’s worked regularly in relief and picked up her first career varsity win in her first start April 12 when the Lady Bruins rolled past Hempstead, 18-3. Pulis gave up just one hit and fanned five. Greene provided a large portion of the run support by going 5-for-5 with a homer and five RBI.

With half of the conference schedule complete, the Lady Bruins are in the driver’s seat to finish on top for the first time since 2002. Two crucial games against second-place Freeport remain.

“We’ve had our eyes on the conference title since the season started,” Llewellyn said. “It looks like we have to get through Freeport to win it.”