Dodgers Softball Wins Second Straight

In a frigid Saturday morning game at Walkill Valley Regional High School, the Madison High School softball team won its second straight game, defeating the Rangers 5-0. Mackenzie Ellis was unstoppable on offense in the first three innings, scoring two runs, hitting a double and a triple, and earnings three RBIs.

"Her speed allowed us to hit well," said Ellis. "But it was hard to get around because our swings were so much faster."

Madison scored three in the first inning after singles from Emily Klein and Nikki Caruso, followed by a fielder's choice which left Caruso and Juliana Vezza on base. Then Mackenzie Ellis hit both runners in with a double. Her younger sister, Victoria, followed up with an RBI single of her own, sending her older sister home for the third run of the inning.

The third inning was similar – it was started with a Caruso walk, and she scored on Mackenzie's triple. Victoria then hit her second RBI single of the day, again scoring her sister.

"We got on them early," said Madison coach Hector Martinez. "But after that we stopped…the girls were cold, and every time they hit, it hurt."

Madison produced runs just as quickly on Wednesday against Hanover Park as they did against Walkill Valley, but after scoring in bunches in the first few innings of both games they slowed down for the rest of the game offensively.

"We just cruised, instead of going for the jugular," said Martinez. "I don't know why."

The Dodgers didn't score for the rest of the game, but neither did the Rangers. Madison's infield was not allowing many on base, and Walkill was struggling to hit any of Nicole Iannarone's pitches out of the infield.

"Our infield defense was really strong," said Vezza, who made an exciting catch in the bottom of the fifth when Rangers' left fielder Abby Stecher, who got on base three times in the game, popped a ball up just a few feet over Vezza's head.

"I just heard it, and kind of stuck my glove out," said Vezza. "I was like whoa, I got it."

Vezza's catch was part of a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth against the top of the Rangers' line-up.

"I'd say that was the play of the game," said Martinez.

The final out of the game came from some quick thinking by Caruso, who noticed that Rangers pitcher Maria Lattanzo was trying to turn a single into a double, perhaps hoping that no one would make the throw with a runner at third – but Caruso made her pay for her mistake and tossed the ball to Victoria Ellis, who ended the game with a tag.

Madison's next game is at Chatham on Monday, April 19th, 4 p.m.

Highlights

Emily Klein, 2-for-4

Nikki Caruso, 3-for-3, walk, 2 runs scored

Mackenzie Ellis, 3-for-4, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI

Victoria Ellis, 3-for-4, 2 RBI

Nicole Iannarone, 3 strikeouts, complete game shutout