Lauren DeMarco provides boost in Calhoun's softball win
Lauren DeMarco of Calhoun delivers to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning of a Nassau Conference II softball game against host Hicksville on Monday. Credit: James Escher
Calhoun's Lauren DeMarco was tested in a few ways on Monday, but she had all the necessary answers.
She was unable to make the start as the completion of an advanced placement Italian exam caused her to run late. She arrived and took her place on the mound in the bottom of the third. She then threw five scoreless innings.
“The test took five hours and was excruciating,” DeMarco said. “I rushed home got ready and came here ready to do well.”
Calhoun defeated host Hicksville, 12-5, in Nassau II softball on Monday evening. DeMarco notched her 100th strikeout of the season according to coach Michael Pisano. Gabriella Facciponti hit a double, drove in a run, and scored two runs.
“Lauren is a competitor and wants the ball no matter the situation,” Pisano said. “She’s someone we always rely on.”
Facciponti was hit by the first pitch of the game and came around to score the first runon a wild pitch . A sacrifice fly by Tarra Madison drove in Hicksville’s first run in the bottom of the first. They took the lead when a single by Emily Adamo scored Ashley Pierce.
Calhoun responded with three runs in the second, with a RBI single by Gabriella Razza and bases loaded walks to Facciponti and Gia Pisicchio. Hicksville got an RBI triple by Gabby Smith, who scored on a wild pitch as Hicksville regained a 5-4 lead.
After Calhoun tied the score in the top of the third, DeMarco entered in relief for the Colts and pitched a scoreless bottom of the third.
“I’m confident in my abilities and know I can do well if I’m sharp,” DeMarco said. “I came into the game thinking, that I was going to shut them down.”
Calhoun put together a six-run top of the fourth to take control. The Colts begam the inning with four straight hits. Rebecca Collins and Gianna Lucchi each drove in a run with singles. Gianna Haniff and DeMarco each drew bases-loaded walks, and two runs scored on a throwing error.
DeMarco handled the rest, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and retiring nine of the final 10 batters she faced.
“I think we have a very good chance of winning our conference and maybe going far in playoffs,” DeMarco said. “Actually, we’ll definitely go far in playoffs.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
