Angel on the field helps John Jay walk it off for Brooke

John Jay and Fox Lane softball teams pose together before the Brooke D’Aleo Memorial Tournament game with Brooke’s mom Megan. Jim MacLean Photos

Natalie Sacco slides in safe at second as Fox Lane shortstop Sofia Valente tries to make the play.

By JIM MACLEAN

John Jay softball player Natalie Sacco felt the presence of an angel as she stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.

This was not just any game for John Jay, hosting rival Fox Lane, in the Brooke D’Aleo Memorial Tournament final on Thursday, May 15. Both teams grew up playing with Brooke on club teams. She would have been a senior at John Jay this year, but sadly passed away from cancer last spring.

Emotions were high all game long for two teams in the middle of two great seasons with two great pitchers on the mound in Maria DeGaetano for John Jay and Sofia Rodriguez for Fox Lane.

It was a pitchers’ duel with Fox Lane clinging to a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. Rodriguez had mowed down the Wolves, striking out 12 while allowing just two bunt singles through six innings, but Sacco delivered when it mattered most for John Jay with a two-run single for the walkoff 3-2 victory as John Jay ran onto the field to celebrate.

“It felt like Brooke was there, like she was holding the bat for me, swinging it with me, she would have lost her mind if she was here, she would have been the first one running on the field and I know she’s watching down on us and she’s happy,” Sacco said after celebrating with her team. “The second that ball was hit, it just felt great. Everybody was so excited, and it just shows our bond together and how much we love Brooke.”

After the game, both teams stayed on the field long after the celebration was over talking together, a shared devotion to the game of softball and to the memory of a friend who loved the game.

“Brings a tear to your eye, it’s something special, today’s game, this entire season they’ve dedicated to Brooke, every day, every practice, every opportunity to play softball they keep her in their thoughts and today was a special day,” said John Jay coach Steve DelMoro. “I love our tenacity, can’t say enough about these kids today. Fox Lane is a great team and Sofia is a great pitcher, and we just had to scrape and claw and get on base and move around and then Natalie with the big hit.” “Yesterday, we worked on going to the opposite field and that’s exactly what she did. This was a great game, fun and exciting, an amazing day.”

After a brief ceremony before the game, John Jay got off to a good start in the first inning as Elise Templeton led off with a bunt single and stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch even though Rodriguez struck out the side.

It was 1-0 heading into the fourth inning when Fox Lane was able to answer. Sofia Valente walked and Sammi Saldutti drilled a double to score Valente with the tying run. Helena Hudson followed with an RBI single to give the Foxes the lead.

The Foxes had an opportunity to add on to the lead in the fifth as Nora Antonaccio led off with a triple. However, Carys Cooper made a big play on defense for John Jay, grabbing a line drive at third base and getting the tag on Antonaccio for the double play to end the threat.

Rodriguez got some help from her defense as well in the sixth inning as Riley Foote walked and Charlotte Bender drilled a deep shot to center, but Jordana Kerwar made a leaping catch for the Foxes to save a run.

That set the stage for the bottom of the seventh, where Bella Barry led off with a walk for John Jay. Laney Daly followed with a bunt single and a double steal put the runners at second and third with one out. Sacco then brought them home with a line drive single for the walk-off win.

It was a tough loss for Fox Lane, but the Foxes stayed on the field talking with their rivals after a well-played game.

“We always play well against them, the girls are so connected, such good energy and passion when we play them,” said Fox Lane coach ToniAnn Licata. “Sofia pitched great and Sami had some big hits for us. Both teams were very impressive and I told them to bring this energy to every other game from now on.”

For the John Jay seniors, it was a celebration with tears of joy and sadness, walking off the field with a win to honor their former teammate.

“This means so much to us, we grew up playing with these girls from Fox Lane and I’m just happy that we won,” said DeGaetano. “Sofia is a great pitcher, I was just trying to match her and do my part. Natalie got that hit and it was amazing. Brooke is such an inspiration to our team, everything we do, so this means so much to us. We won this for her.”