Clarke earns playoff victory

Eight-seeded Clarke plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit to give pitcher Lizzy Belfiore some breathing room on the way to stifling No. 9 Plainedge, 4-0, in a Nassau Class A first round softball playoff matchup on May 9.

Belfiore allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out two in a performance coach Rachel Barry said was her best this spring. Belfiore also walked and scored in the fourth when the Lady Rams, who had just three hits against her counterpart, Bella Porcaro, extended their advantage. 

“Lizzy pitched great against Plainedge a few weeks ago, even though we lost 3-2, she allowed only four hits and struck out 12,” Barry said. “She’s a senior and we put the ball in her hands today and everybody trusts her. She’s a super communicator and leader, and one of the most positive kids I’ve ever had in the dugout.”

Belfiore got some nifty defensive help from sophomore Kayla Connolly at second base in the top of the second after the Lady Red Devils loaded the bases with none out thanks to a double, a walk and an error. Connolly recorded two quick outs, catching a line drive and doubling the runner off first, and then ended the threat with a running grab of a popup. “Kayla’s been great defensively all season,” Barry said.

Clarke took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when senior Erin Connolly drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, took third on Belfiore’s infield single, and scored on the back end of a double-steal attempt.

Porcaro needed only five pitches to get through the third but had problems finding the strike zone in the fourth when the Lady Rams took control. Erin Connolly, who walked three times on the day, opened the inning with a free pass and was standing on third base after a pair of wild pitches. Belfiore and Kayla Connolly also walked to load the bases. Seniors Sonia Iacoboni and Sabrina Richards, and sophomore Arianna Fracchioni all produced RBI at-bats.

“We’ve definitely become a better offensive team,” Barry said. “We’re earning runs in a lot of different ways, whether it’s being more aggressive at the plate or on the bases, moving runners by bunting, whatever the case. We’ve been finding more ways to score.”

Belfiore cruised into the seventh with a one-hitter but gave up a leadoff single to Porcaro and then hit a batter, suddenly allowing Plainedge to bring the potential tying run to the on-deck circle with no out. However, with Fracchioni warming up in the bullpen, Belfiore retired the next three batters on a flyout to right, a grounder to third, and a foul pop to first to punch Clarke’s ticket to the quarterfinals.

“We faced Plainedge in two of the last three regular-season games and I coach three of their girls in travel ball,” Barry said. “It’s always tough facing kids you work with all year long to make better.”