Sputo’s Superb Pitching and Timely Hitting Lead Tigers to Three Wins
White Plains
Danielle Sputo is a woman with a rubber arm. She seems similar to a super hero with the way she is able to come back and pitch every game.
This past week the White Plains Tigers had three games and they won them all, outscoring their opponents 20-12 over that three-game span. They beat Mamaroneck on Thursday 5-1, won in eight innings on Friday at New Rochelle 9-7 and won at home against New Rochelle 6-4 on Saturday
Sputo, who is a sophomore, pitched in all three of the victories. In those three games Sputo pitched a total of 22 innings, allowed six earned runs and struck out 23 batters.
After the Tigers game on Saturday Sputo joked that she could have thrown another game if her team needed her too. She gives a lot of credit to her teammates behind her and their fielding skills.
Sputo said when she is on the mound she feels confident because she is not afraid to have her opponents hit the ball because she knows her teammates will be able to make the plays in the field to back her up.
The Tigers’ most recent game was on Saturday at home against New Rochelle. For most of the game the Tigers were in control but New Rochelle, who was facing a three-run deficit entering the top of the sixth inning, threatened to have a big inning and tie up the game. A sizzling defensive play by Tigers first baseman sophomore Austin Bogart turned the tide of the game. Bogart snagged a hard hit line drive ground ball stepped on first base and fired the ball home to catcher Brianna Chapman, who was in perfect position blocking the plate and tagged the New Rochelle runner out at home to put an end to the inning.
After the game on Saturday Bogart, who normally plays in the outfield but has been filling in at first base due to one of her teammates being injured, reflected on that play in the top of the sixth inning.
“All that was really going through my head was that I didn’t have a good grip on the ball,” said Bogart. “I didn’t know where it was going to go when I threw it. Luckily I had a good enough grip that it went to Bri [Chapman]. I’m very thankful that it happened.”
New Rochelle mounted a small rally in the top of the seventh inning that allowed them to get within two runs of the Tigers. Late in the game the Tigers made a few bad decisions in the field that helped New Rochelle make it a closer game than it really should have been. Sputo was able to close the door with her skillful pitching. The Tigers held on to win 6-4 and improved their record to 10-8 in 2012.
Tigers head coach Ted O’Donnell was bothered by the mental mistakes his team has been making in the field. “I tell them that at this point of the season it’s not acceptable. It what’s stopping us from being the team we can be,” said O’Donnell.
Tayler Falvey and Jackie Iglesias each drove in two runs on Saturday. Sarah Carrier banged out two hits and Lina Colucci score two runs in the game.
The Tigers will close out the regular season with away games at Arlington and Scarsdale on Monday and Tuesday respectively. On Wednesday morning the playoff seeds will be determined and the Tigers most likely will play on Friday, though the schedule has yet to be determined.
Good Counsel
There is good news and bad news for the Good Counsel Cougars softball team. The good news in that they were able to finish the regular season with three straight wins, but the bad news for the Cougars is that their regular season record of 4-11 will not be good enough to get them into the postseason. Their last two wins of the season were against St. Catherine and Maria Regina. The win over Maria Regina has special meaning to the Cougars because the Tigers had beaten them in their first two meetings of the season.
Cougars head coach Darren Perillo is only losing four seniors to graduation and has been encouraged with the improvement of some of his younger players
“I was very impressed with the progress of my sophomores. Cassie Pinto (third baseman), Carly Keane (catcher), and Johanna Levine. All three made tremendous strides and showed real improvement. The biggest highlight was junior Delia Warchansky. She was a strong surprise at the plate. I am very excited to watch her and all my underclassman next season,” said Perillo
Maria Regina
The Maria Regina Tigers finished the regular season with two losses to Maria Regina and Cardinal Spellman. Their current record is 12-9.
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