Huskies take advantage of Wallkill mistakes to win 6-2

By Mike Zummo
Posted 5/17/23

The Highland softball team literally took what the Wallkill Panthers gave them.

The Huskies scored three runs on three wild pitches, keying a six-run second inning in a 6-2 win over the Panthers …

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Huskies take advantage of Wallkill mistakes to win 6-2

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The Highland softball team literally took what the Wallkill Panthers gave them.

The Huskies scored three runs on three wild pitches, keying a six-run second inning in a 6-2 win over the Panthers on May 9 at Highland High School.

“Everyone was able to put their bats together,” said Alexa Pavese, who started the big inning with a base hit to right field. “We’ve had a hard time with that, and I feel like everyone today just came together, and everybody was able to focus on the ball and everyone was just able to make contact. It just worked out in our favor today.”

The Huskies also got some help from Wallkill starting pitcher Kaylee DeGroat, who uncorked four wild pitches in the inning. Adrienne Post, serving as a courtesy runner for Pavese scored on DeGroat’s second wild pitch. Marissa Incorvaia, serving as a courtesy runner for catcher Delaney Reid, scored on another wild pitch and Abby Paserba came home on the fourth wild pitch, giving the Huskies a 3-0 lead.

“We were able to get some base runners and we were putting the bat on the ball,” Highland coach Kathelene Canosa said. “And then, we stole a couple of runs on a passed ball, but I was pretty confident we were going to get some hits anyway, even if we didn’t get them in.”

The Huskies also got some key hits in the inning as Mackenzie Brooker and Violet Brienza each delivered RBI singles to give the Huskies a 6-0 lead, all the margin Pavese needed in the circle.

“It just makes me stay focused, and really try my hardest to not give anything really good for them to hit,” Pavese said.

She carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before allowing a one-out single to Gabriella Faia. Then with two-outs, Elysia Villafane chased her home with a single. The Panthers tried for one more, but Mia Ferrante was thrown out at the plate by center fielder Katie Dauenheimer to end the threat.

In all, she allowed two hits in five innings with seven strikeouts. Wallkill’s run was unearned.

“She was really in her spots today,” Canosa said. “There’s some days where she kind of misses and she leaves things too fat, and I forget that she’s only a 10th-grader because she’s been with me for so long, and I expect her to be up there. Every game is a learning experience for her, and we play five in a row this week. We talked about some of the mistakes she made, and she went out and jut obliterated them.”

The week started with a 5-3 loss to Pine Plains on May 8. Pavese only gave up two earned runs in seven innings.

Against the Panthers, she got bit of a break as Brienza pitched the sixth and seventh innings, allowing an unearned run in the sixth inning on Faia’s RBI single.

“Violet had really good movement on the ball,” Canosa said. “She doesn’t have the same speed as Alexa does, but she has good movement. She’s able to mix it in and out. Her changeup wasn’t working today, which is usually a strength of hers.”

The Huskies followed with a 16-0 win over Dover on Wednesday as Pavese and Brienza combined for a one-hitter and 12 strikeouts. Brooker had three hits with two runs scored and an RBI. Post had a hit and two runs scored and Brienza had a hit and an RBI.

The Huskies finished the week with a 4-2 non-league win over James I. O’Neill on Friday.

“I think we’re all just really close,” Pavese said. “We’re all able to keep each other pumped up, and everyone is always hyped in the dugout. Everyone’s trying to be there for everyone, and it just helps out coming together as a team.”