Important early win for VSN

After a tough start to the Conference ABC-III softball season, Valley Stream North got in the win column last Saturday morning with a 14-4 home victory over North Shore.

A two-run single by eighth-grader Sam Estupinian and run-scoring single by senior Gianna Nasso highlighted a six-run bottom of the fourth for the Lady Spartans, who improved to 1-2 in conference games and 2-3 overall. Nasso added a two-run double in the sixth, while junior Jenna Abruzzino keyed a four-run first inning rally with a two-run single.

“We had a chance to win the first two games, but we didn’t so I came into this game thinking it was a must-win,” VSN coach Corey McNamara said. “We didn’t want to be sitting at 0-3 in the conference. It’s good to get this first one under our belt.”

Sophomore Victoria Dugan settled down after a bumpy first two innings in the pitching circle and picked up the win. “She improved as the game went on and strung together five solid innings,” McNamara said. “We’re just looking for her to be consistently around the strike zone and let the defense do the work behind her.”

North Shore scored once in the top of the first, but the Lady Spartans came out swinging and took a 4-1 lead. Seniors Lauren Collura and Victoria Patti each drove in a run in their first at-bat. The Lady Vikings responded with four runs in the top of the second to take a 5-4 advantage, but some defensive miscues led to a pair of runs for North in the bottom of the third to put the hosts in front for good.

“It means a lot,” McNamara said of the win. “We’ve been close in every game and other coaches have complimented us on our play. The girls were excited after the win.”

In losses to Garden City (9-6 on April 4) and Jericho (12-6 on April 2), the Lady Spartans battled down to the wire. They were down one run to Garden City after six innings and tied with Jericho after six. Senior two-time All-County catcher Dana Morgante homered against Garden City and cracked a double and a triple to drive in three runs against Jericho.

North opened the campaign with a 14-2 non-league victory over Uniondale. Sophomore Kaylee Naraine picked up the win.

Collura is likely to get a long look in the pitching circle this week when the Lady Spartans face East Rockaway in a non-league game. She was the backup pitcher a year ago when she won All-Division honors thanks in large part to her defensive work in center field. “I want to see how she throws, and also how the outfield looks without her,” McNamara said. 

The next seven games are all on the road, including a non-league matchup with Valley Stream South set for this Saturday at 10 a.m. The Lady Spartans won’t return home until April 30.