Fox Lane softball rallies and holds on for victory

Nora Antonaccio drills a two-run single for Fox Lane. Jim MacLean Photos

Evie Santos delivers to the plate in Fox Lane victory over Horace Greeley.

By JIM MACLEAN

Fox Lane needed a rally and the Foxes rose to the occasion, putting up five runs in the fifth inning. And then the Foxes needed some relief, and they rose to the challenge once more shutting down a Horace Greeley rally in the seventh inning to close out a 6-5 victory over the rival Quakers.

It was another big victory for Fox Lane as it hosted Greeley on May 2, and the Foxes improved to 9-3 overall on the season.

However, Fox Lane coach ToniAnn Licata was not celebrating and neither was her team as it almost slipped away and the Foxes had to win in dramatic fashion.

“I’m very happy we got the win, we’re still on a roll in terms of playing to get the win, but you can’t play to just get a win,” explained Licata. “I feel like they are just going through the motions. I was talking to them about the mental part of the game. It seems like they’re swinging at anything, a lot of miscues, not enough energy, glad we got the win, but we can’t count on that one big inning.”

Fox Lane got on the scoreboard first in the third inning as Sofia Rodriguez drilled a triple with two outs and came home on a wild pitch to make it 1-0.

Horace Greeley answered back with two runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth Fox Lane came alive at the plate. Avery Genovese led it off with a single and Val DeLuca followed with a walk. Jojo Kerwar then delivered an RBI single to tie it up at 2-2. Sofia Valente walked to load the bases, and Gabby Naar then walked to force in a run and give the Foxes the lead.

Nora Anatonaccio followed and delivered the big blow, coming through with a single to drive in two runs and make it 6-2.

Naar, a senior captain, came up with a diving catch in the outfield to help keep it that way and starting pitcher Evie Santos pitched six strong innings. Fox Lane was celebrating Senior Day for Naar as the only senior on the roster, but the Quakers almost spoiled the party. Greely started the seventh inning with three straight hits and scored three runs to make it 6-5. With the bases loaded and no outs, Rodriguez came on in relief for the Foxes and she struck out three-straight batters to close it out.

“Gabby on her Senior Day had a big game, a hit and a walk and a wonderful catch, she’s been playing fantastic,” Licata said of Naar. “Nora had the big hit and Evie pitched great. Jojo has been great leading off and Sofia right behind her. We did a lot of good things, but we still have a lot of things we need to work on.”

Fox Lane followed up the win over Greeley with a pair of victories over Port Chester as the Foxes have won six out of seven games and improved to 9-3 overall.

Fox Lane faced a busy week ahead as the Foxes were set to travel to Ossining on Wednesday, and then Port Chester the next day before returning home to host White Plains on Monday, May 12.

“We’re doing well, they’re a good bunch, and we need to play together as a team, get on base, do the little things for the team,” added Licata. “The next three weeks will be big with a lot of games left before the playoffs.”