Aquinas pushes win streak to 13
Two big innings late lead to Raiders victory
FORT LAUDERDALE — In a matchup of two perennial state powers in girls softball, St. Thomas Aquinas scored 11 runs combined in the fourth and fifth innings, and along with sensational pitching by senior Gabriella Nori overpowered American Heritage, 11-1, in five innings.
“It’s a good win,” said Aquinas coach Bryan Baucom. “It’s showing that we’re getting better every day with practice and games.”
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Heritage (7-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of third inning on an RBI single to left field by Hannah Sipos that scored Analyse Jimenez from third base.
The Raiders, winners of 13 consecutive games, stayed patient despite managing just two hits in the first three innings off Patriots starting pitcher, Amelia Saviskas, before exploding for 11 hits in the final two innings.
Trailing, 1-0, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Aquinas (13-1) tied the score on Madison Granberry’s deep drive off the fence in center field, scoring Meagan Patterson from third.
The Raiders next batter, Jocelyn Lozano, ripped a ground ball off the glove of Patriots shortstop Katherine Rodriguez, driving in pinch runner Hannah Furshman with the go-ahead run to make it, 2-1.
Aquinas added two more runs in the fourth before scoring seven in the fifth inning, highlighted by a pair of two-run RBI doubles by Kristen Sacca and Patterson to seal the victory.
“I thought in the early part of the game, we were trying to feel out Saviskas a little bit,” said Baucom. “As the game started to move along, we started to dial in on her and we started the ball hard and make things happen. Our kids are learning to make adjustments as the game goes on.”
Nori struck out 10 batters for the Raiders over five innings for the win.
“Nori pitched great,” said Baucom. “I can’t say enough, she’s been awesome the whole year.”