WILMINGTON — Saint Mark’s softball team put together a two-out rally in the third inning of its game at Wilmington Charter on May 2, scoring five runs to take a lead it would not relinquish in a 12-3 win.
The Force scored three times in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead. Madeline Oyerly had the big hit, a two-run double with the bases loaded with two outs. That came after Sophia Johnston and Oyerly each just missed a grand slam with shots to left field that were feet foul.
After scoring single runs in the first and second, the Spartans put up six in the third to take control. Chloe Bedwell led off with a ground-rule double and scored on Pia Perrone’s single to right, tying the score. The Force then turned a double play, leaving Saint Mark’s with two outs and nobody on. But the Spartans’ offense was just getting started.
After two singles, Ellie Newton drove a double to center, driving in both runners for a 5-3 Spartans lead. Ella Nicholson singled to bring Newton home, and Nicholson rounded the bases on a double by Kate Lovett. Ella Muffley came in to pitch for Wilmington Charter, but Kimorah Neal greeted her with another ground-rule double, plating Lovett. The Spartans loaded the bases again, but the Force got out of the inning with no further damage.
That was enough, however, for Spartans pitcher Gabby Saggione, who settled down after the first to pitch three more strong innings, and Liv Datilio, who threw three innings in relief. Saggione allowed two hits after the first, but neither runner advanced past first base. Datilio struck out four in her three innings, and the game ended on a 6-4-3 double play.
Nicholson had two hits, two runs batted in and a run scored. Maddie Casapulla was on base three times with two hits and a walk, an RBI and run scored. The Spartans (12-1) travel to St. Georges on Saturday for a noon game against the Hawks.
Johnston had two hits for the Force, who fell to 7-6. Charter in on the road Saturday, taking on Middletown at 11 a.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
