With the win, the Tologs improved to 3-2 and most importantly to Nishiyama continued to gain experience with Mission League play beginning next week. Prep fell to 1-4, a disappointing start after a rebound season a year ago.
“Overall, we should have one or two more wins,” said Rebels Coach Julie Jaime. “I expect a lot of things from this team.”
Jaime was happy with her team’s performance on Tuesday, though, particularly against the daunting Ferri, and believes her team is headed in the right direction with Prep League play beginning this week.
“Getting a hit makes us 100% better than last season,” said Jaime in reference to Ferri’s perfecto of a season ago. “We did a good job of putting the ball in play.
“We competed well with them.”
Still, Ferri pitched well, striking out 13, allowing three hits, walking two and allowing one earned run.
It clearly wasn’t Ferri, the reigning Mission League Pitcher of the Year, at her best, though, as, reportedly, a few nagging injuries have hampered her.
“To be honest, she’s trying to do a little bit too much, but she’s a competitor,” said Nishiyama of Ferri (3-2). “She’s the backbone of this team.”
Freshman Stephanie Bathke drew a walk to start the game and moved around the bases on a wild pitch, a sacrifice and a passed ball to net the Rebels a quick 1-0 lead.
But the Tologs bats didn’t stay quiet for long. In all, Sacred Heart tallied nine hits, with Paige Conti, Taylor Crotty and junior varsity call-up Lauren Torres garnering two hits each.
