Melissa Ward, Kayla Fitzpatrick lead NHP softball at LLWS
The New Hyde Park Little League All Star Team (representing New York State and the tourney's East Region) is the first team from Long Island to compete in the Little League Softball World Series since Islip in 1993. Shortstop Melissa Ward
Two games into the Little League Softball World Series and the New Hyde Park girls have looked dynamic, dominant, and . . . actually, exactly as they always have.
New Hyde Park blitzed Canada, 16-0, Friday in the second game of the tournament in Portland, Ore. The offense exploded for three, four, six and three runs in each inning before the game was called after four via the 15-run rule.
"Canada wasn't making errors," said New Hyde Park coach Tom Donnelly, whose team had 15 hits and nine walks. "We were just driving the ball that well."
Melissa Ward allowed a hit and struck out six in three innings before being relieved by Kayla Fitzpatrick.
"This whole experience has been a really good time for us," said Ward, who featured a changeup and curveball. She also went 3-for-3 with three runs. "I'm really happy because I know we worked so hard to get to this point."
Fitzpatrick, the leadoff hitter, was 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs; Jenny Hickey went 2-for-4 with two runs, and Emma Nidermaier scored three runs.
New Hyde Park, which had beaten Asia Pacific, 11-4, in the first game of the tournament, will face New Mexico at 10:30 p.m. EST Sunday.
"We're one of the top 10 teams in the world and to beat two other top 10 teams like that, I'm really proud," said Maggie Donnelly, who went 3-for-4.
The all-star team, comprised of the top 11- and 12-year-old players from the New Hyde Park Little League, has a chance to become the first New York team to win the Little League Softball World Series.
"If we keep playing our game," Maggie Donnelly said, "we'll be OK."
